This model was used to simulate glutamatergic, AMPA receptor mediated mEPSCs (miniature EPSCs, resulting from spontaneous vesicular transmitter release) at the calyx of Held synapse. It was used to assess the influence of temperature (physiological vs. subphysiological) on the amplitude and time course of mEPSCs. In the related paper, simulation results were directly compared to the experimental data, and it was concluded that an increase of temperature accelerates AMPA receptor kinetics.

Model Type: Neuron or other electrically excitable cell

Cell Type(s): Medial Nucleus of the Trapezoid Body (MNTB) neuron

Receptors: AMPA

Transmitters: Glutamate

Model Concept(s): Detailed Neuronal Models; Short-term Synaptic Plasticity

Simulation Environment: MCell

Implementer(s): Hennig, Matthias H [mhhennig at gmail.com]

References:

Postlethwaite M, Hennig MH, Steinert JR, Graham BP, Forsythe ID. (2007). Acceleration of AMPA receptor kinetics underlies temperature-dependent changes in synaptic strength at the rat calyx of Held. The Journal of physiology. 579 [PubMed]