New concepts in compartmental modelling

Lindsay, A.E., Lindsay, K.A. and Rosenberg, J.R. (2007) New concepts in compartmental modelling. Computing and Visualization in Science, 10(2), pp. 79-98. (doi: 10.1007/s00791-006-0035-8)

Abstract

Continuum and compartmental models are presented as alternative descriptions of the electrical behaviour of a dendrite. The one-dimensional continuum model provides a reference against which the accuracy of compartmental models may be assessed. Traditional compartmental models are shown to be first- and not second-order accurate in the presence of synaptic input contrary to what is often claimed. This reduced accuracy arises from the inability of a traditional model to accurately locate synaptic input. A compartment defined by two potentials is introduced to describe a dendritic section, and the influence of synaptic input to the section is divided between its boundaries by means of a partitioning rule. The new compartmental model, with the same level of discretisation as a traditional model, is an order of magnitude more accurate and precise than traditional compartmental models in the presence of synaptic input. Consequently, the new model provides a more powerful tool for distinguishing between different models of an experiment than is possible using a traditional compartmental model.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Rosenberg, Prof Jay and Lindsay, Professor Kenneth
• Authors: Lindsay, A.E., Lindsay, K.A., and Rosenberg, J.R.
• Subjects: R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry; Q Science > QA Mathematics
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Mathematics and Statistics > Mathematics
• Journal Name: Computing and Visualization in Science
• ISSN: 1432-9360
• ISSN (Online): 1433-0369
• Published Online: 17 November 2006