Some Aspects of Modeling Neuronal Interactions in the Basal Ganglia

Abstract

Qualitative models of neuronal interactions in the basal ganglia have helped to improve the treatment of patients suffering from diseases that affect the extrapyramidal motor system. As part of a model simulating the nigro-striatal feedback loop a model of the dopaminergic synapse in the striatum is presented. A compartment model simulates the metabolic pathways of dopamine in the presynaptic neuron and the synaptic cleft. An extended Hodgkin-Huxley model describes the behaviour of membrane voltage and currents of the presynaptic and postsynaptic membrane. Procuring numerical values for model parameters poses some problems. Kinetic constants of receptor kinetics and uptake mechanisms are especially difficult to obtain. Parameters concerning the part of the model which simulates the electrical processes can be found more easily.