1. A reaction-diffusion model for
calcium in neurons
Mauricio LABADIE
CAMS - EHESS
Université de Paris 6
Kamel HAMDACHE
CMAP
Ecole Polytechnique
CMAP
Ecole Polytechnique
April 26th, 2007

2. neuron
dendrite
dendritic
spine

3. dendritic spines
1 µm (10-6m) length
0.2 µm3 volume
up to 300,000
spines per neuron
more than 1013
spines in brain

4. dendritic spines are only in excitatory synapses
90% of excitatory synapses
terminate on dendritic spines

5. axon terminal
synapse
dendritic
spine

6. The determinant role of Ca2+ in synaptic plasticity
Small rises in Ca2+
Large increases in Ca2+

7. ion channels