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

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 IP3 receptors of the intracellular Ca2+ store, the sustained firing seems to occur due to the activation of a certain Ca2+-dependent current, presumably the Ca2+-activated nonselective cationic current, during the IP3-induced Ca2+ release. Here we present a two-compartmental model neuron that shows the observed patterns of neuronal responses. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.