The code recreates the figures from "Synaptic input and ACh modulation regulate dendritic Ca2+ spike duration in pyramidal neurons, directly affecting their somatic output" by Dudai, Doron, Segev and London (2021), Journal of Neuroscience
In layer 5 cortical pyramidal neurons, the principal projection neurons of the cortex, dendritic Ca2+ spikes play a key role in signal processing. Employing single-cell simulations, we reproduced the complexity of the Ca2+ spike in a reduced dynamical model and identified the main factors regulating its duration. We found that while the overall shape of the Ca2+ spike is stable, its duration is sensitive to synaptic perturbations and cholinergic modulation. We also showed that, counterintuitively, timed excitation may shorten the spike, while inhibition may extend it. Through a dynamical systems analysis, this work sheds light on the mechanisms controlling the Ca2+ spike, a fundamental signal that amplifies excitatory input, facilitates somatic action potentials, and promotes synaptic plasticity.
To run the scripts, install NEURON and the L5PC models from ModelDB (see Materials and Methods). Then, compile the mod files using nrnivmodl through the command line.