Modeling of Gate Control Neuronal Circuitry Including Morphologies and Physiologies of Component Neurons and Fibres

Abstract

In this work mathematical model of gate control theory, which explains the modulation of pain signals with tactile signals, is done. The difference of the current developed model from the previous modeling trials is that electrophysiological and morphological properties of component neurons and fibers that constitute the gate control structure are included to observe the structure-function relationship. Model of a single excitable cell is used as the main building block of the models of one unmyelinated fiber, one myelinated fiber, one interneuron and one projection neuron. The conduction velocities in the unmyelinated and myelinated fibers are found as 0.43m/s and 64.35 m/s, respectively. For both fibers input current intensity-frequency relationships are constructed. In addition, synapses between neurons are developed as two independent tanks and developed synapse model exhibits the summation and tetanization properties of real synapses while simulating the time dependency of neurotransmitter concentration in the synaptic cleft. All of the individual parts of the gate control system are connected and the whole system is simulated for different connection configurations.