Utilization of a Motoneuron Model to Identify Locations of Synaptic Inputs during Rhythmic Movement
Abdullah, K.G.1 and Hamm, T.M.2
School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University; 2Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ
Motoneurons are the nervous system’s final pathway to muscle, and they are responsible for muscle activation in all movements, both voluntary and involuntary. When used in conjunction with experimentally obtained data, computer generated motoneuron simulations can accurately recreate the physiological actions of mammalian motoneurons. The presented model was constructed from known physiological parameters with the purpose of validating a method for determining the location of synaptic inputs to the motoneuron by measuring impedance during rhythmic movements, such as locomotion or scratching. Preliminary data from the model supports the accuracy of the method in predicting locations of synaptic input during the application of tonic conductances while accounting for the activation of voltage-dependant conductances and passive electrical properties within the motoneuron. Future investigation intends to utilize the model in conjunction with experimentally obtained data to examine the effect of voltage-dependant conductances on impedance measurements during the application of rhythmic conductances, and validate or refute the hypothesis that both excitatory and inhibitory inputs have a mainly dendritic location.