A mathematical model of adult GnRH neurons in mouse brain and its bifurcation analysis

作者：Duan Wen^*; Lee Kiho; Herbison Allan E; Sneyd James

来源：Journal of Theoretical Biology, 2011, 276(1): 22-34.

DOI：10.1016/j.jtbi.2011.01.035

• Bursting
• Calcium dynamics
• After hyperpolarisation current
• Timescale separation

GnRH neurons are hypothalamic neurons that secrete gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) which stimulates the release of gonadotropins, one of the crucial hormones for sexual development, fertility and maturation. A mathematical model was built to help elucidate the mechanisms underlying electrical bursting and synchronous [Ca2+] transients in GnRH neurons (Lee et al., 2010). The model predicted that bursting in GnRH neurons (at least of the short-bursting type) requires the existence of a [Ca2+]-dependent slow after-hyperpolarisation current (sI(AHP-UCL)), and this predicted current was found experimentally. GnRH behaviour under a wide range of conditions (inhibition of Na+ channels, IP3 receptors, [Ca2+]-dependent K+ channels, or Ca2+ pumps, or in the presence of zero extracellular [Ca2+) is successfully reproduced by the model. In this paper, a simplified version of the previous model, with the same qualitative behaviour, is constructed and studied using timescale separation techniques and bifurcation analysis.

• 出版日期2011-5-7