Presynaptic calcium dynamics of learning neurons

An important basis of neuron plasticity is the intracellular calcium concentration in response to specific stimulation protocols. It turns out that the transmission of action potentials at synapses undergo durable changes in dependence of the stimulation - an effect called long-term-potentiation and long-term-depression.

The intracellular calcium dynamics are investigated in a theoretical model in dependence of different stimulations. The model is based on the experimental knowledge about single membrane proteine characteristics. The calcium answer is shown for pyramidal neurons and is quantitatively compared to experimental observation. The relevance of different calcium sources for the neuron plasticity is discussed.