Modeling the layer V cortical pyramidal neurons showing theta-rhythmic firing in the presence of muscarine

Abstract

In this study, we model a type of layer V pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex of rats. In the presence of muscarine, the pyramidal neurons exhibit a self-sustained rhythmic firing in the theta frequency range (4– 7 Hz ) in response to a brief depolarizing step current. Since muscarine is known to activate the IP 3 receptors of the intracellular Ca 2+ store, the sustained firing seems to occur due to the activation of a certain Ca 2+-dependent current, presumably the Ca 2+-activated nonselective cationic current, during the IP 3-induced Ca 2+ release. Here we present a two-compartmental model neuron that shows the observed patterns of neuronal responses.