New concepts in compartmental modelling

• Published in: Computing and visualization in science 2007-06, Vol.10 (2), p.79-98
• Main Authors: LINDSAY, A. E, LINDSAY, K. A, ROSENBERG, J. R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Continuum modeling; Dendritic structure; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects. Models. Methods; Model accuracy; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Worms
• ISSN: 1432-9360; 1433-0369
• DOI: 10.1007/s00791-006-0035-8

Continuum and compartmental models are presented as alternative descriptions of the electrical behaviour of a dendrite. The one-dimensional continuum model provides a reference against which the accuracy of compartmental models may be assessed. Traditional compartmental models are shown to be first- and not second-order accurate in the presence of synaptic input contrary to what is often claimed. This reduced accuracy arises from the inability of a traditional model to accurately locate synaptic input. A compartment defined by two potentials is introduced to describe a dendritic section, and the influence of synaptic input to the section is divided between its boundaries by means of a partitioning rule. The new compartmental model, with the same level of discretisation as a traditional model, is an order of magnitude more accurate and precise than traditional compartmental models in the presence of synaptic input. Consequently, the new model provides a more powerful tool for distinguishing between different models of an experiment than is possible using a traditional compartmental model.