Building a Cell with Neurokit

Abstract

In the first four GENESIS programming tutorials, we covered the features of the GENESIS/XODUS script language needed to construct a simple model neuron. This neuron contains a dendrite compartment with a synaptically activated excitatory channel and a soma with Hodgkin—Huxley sodium and potassium channels. A source of randomly distributed spikes is used to excite the synapse. Action potentials produced in the soma trigger a spike generator that may be used to provide input to a synapse on another cell. In our model, we used a feedback connection to the cell’s own synapse that can be toggled on and off. Enough details of XODUS were introduced to create graphs for the membrane potential and channel conductance, along with buttons, toggles and dialog boxes for controlling the simulation.