Intrinsic coherence resonance in excitable membrane patches
1Institut für Physik, Universität Augsburg, Theoretische Physik I, D-86135 Augsburg, Germany. Gerhard.Schmid@physik.uni-augsburg.de
Mathematical Biosciences
|October 31, 2006
Summary
Intrinsic channel noise significantly impacts neuronal firing. Optimal membrane patch sizes can lead to spontaneous action potentials and intrinsic coherence resonance, independent of external stimuli.
Area of Science:
- Computational Neuroscience
- Biophysics
Background:
- Cell membranes exhibit electrical properties influenced by ion channel dynamics.
- Intrinsic channel noise arises from the stochastic behavior of individual ion channels.
- Understanding noise effects is crucial for modeling neuronal excitability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of intrinsic channel noise on the spiking activity of excitable membrane patches.
- To explore the phenomenon of coherence resonance in neuronal spiking under intrinsic noise.
- To determine the role of membrane patch size in modulating noise-induced firing patterns.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a stochastic generalization of the Hodgkin-Huxley model.
- Analyzed the impact of intrinsic channel noise on electrical properties.
- Simulated responses to constant and oscillatory current inputs.
Main Results:
- Intrinsic channel noise affects membrane electrical properties and neuronal spiking.
- An optimal membrane patch size was identified for spontaneous, regular action potential generation.
- Intrinsic coherence resonance was observed in small patches, making spiking stimulus-independent.
- Channel noise caused input event skipping in intermediate patches, reducing spiking coherence.
Conclusions:
- Intrinsic channel noise plays a critical role in neuronal excitability and firing patterns.
- Membrane patch size is a key factor determining the effects of intrinsic noise.
- Coherence resonance can emerge intrinsically due to channel noise, influencing neuronal response to stimuli.
Related Concept Videos
01:21The Resting Membrane Potential
Overview
01:24Resting Membrane Potential
The relative difference in electrical charge, or voltage, between the inside and the outside of a cell membrane, is called the membrane potential. It is generated by differences in permeability of the membrane to various ions and the concentrations of these ions across the membrane.
The Inside of a Neuron is More Negative
The membrane potential of a cell can be measured by inserting a microelectrode into a cell and comparing the charge to a reference electrode in the extracellular fluid. The...
The Inside of a Neuron is More Negative
The membrane potential of a cell can be measured by inserting a microelectrode into a cell and comparing the charge to a reference electrode in the extracellular fluid. The...
01:24Resting Membrane Potential
The relative difference in electrical charge, or voltage, between the inside and the outside of a cell membrane, is called the membrane potential. It is generated by differences in permeability of the membrane to various ions and the concentrations of these ions across the membrane.
The Inside of a Neuron is More Negative
The membrane potential of a cell can be measured by inserting a microelectrode into a cell and comparing the charge to a reference electrode in the extracellular fluid. The...
The Inside of a Neuron is More Negative
The membrane potential of a cell can be measured by inserting a microelectrode into a cell and comparing the charge to a reference electrode in the extracellular fluid. The...
01:18Patch Clamp
Many fundamental cell functions such as muscle contraction and nerve transmission rely on the electrical signals produced by the movement of positively and negatively charged ions across the cell membrane. One competent method to record current flowing across the whole cell or single ion channel is the patch-clamp technique.
In this method, a glass micropipette containing electrolyte solution is tightly sealed against a small portion of the cell membrane. As a result, a patch of the cell...
In this method, a glass micropipette containing electrolyte solution is tightly sealed against a small portion of the cell membrane. As a result, a patch of the cell...
01:15Mechanisms of Membrane-bending
The living membranes are flexible due to their fluid mosaic nature; however, their bending into different shapes is an active process regulated by specific lipids and proteins. The membrane bending can be transient as seen in vesicles or stable for a long time as in microvilli. Cells regulate the size, location, and duration of the membrane curvature.
Membrane bending can happen due to intrinsic changes in lipid composition or extrinsic association with different proteins. The proteins involved...
Membrane bending can happen due to intrinsic changes in lipid composition or extrinsic association with different proteins. The proteins involved...
01:43SNAREs and Membrane Fusion
Once a transport vesicle has recognized its target organelle, the vesicular membrane needs to fuse with the target membrane to unload the cargo. Transmembrane proteins called SNAREs present on organelle membranes and their vesicles, mediate vesicle fusion.
SNAREs exist in pairs that symmetrically interact and catalyze the fusion of the lipid bilayers in vesicle and target organelle. v-SNARE in the vesicle membrane are single polypeptide chains that bind to a complementary t-SNARE, composed of 2...
SNAREs exist in pairs that symmetrically interact and catalyze the fusion of the lipid bilayers in vesicle and target organelle. v-SNARE in the vesicle membrane are single polypeptide chains that bind to a complementary t-SNARE, composed of 2...