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CALIFORNIA SOUTHERN Modeling Calcium Influxes Through Neuronal Synapses Highlighting NMDA Receptors

JSHS · 2022

Kavya Gupta, M. Bell · Westivew High School, San Diego, CA

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Overview

University of California Dendritic spines are small, membranous protrusions from a neuron’s dendrite which are the hub for receiving signal inputs from axons at areas called synapses. The synaptic plasticity, or strength, of a synapse depends on its ability to perform synaptic signaling through second messenger Calcium ions. Ionotropic membrane receptors, such as N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), located on the post synaptic cell play a key role in Long Term Potentiation and Depression affecting the memory retention of cells. To consider the effect of NMDAR on calcium dynamics, varying parameters, blocked Magnesium ion concentrations in NMDARs, membrane voltage and extracellular calcium concentrations, were used to model calcium dynamics mathematically. Ordinary differential equations were used to solve the system of equations which looked at a calcium influx with a timescale of 20 milliseconds. Using this model, we were able to focus on how important these specific parameters were in regulating the rate of flow of calcium ions into the post synaptic cell. The results indicated that with increases in the concentrations of Magnesium and extracellular-calcium ions, and probabilities of opening receptors, there was an overall increase in the rate of flow of calcium ions into the cell. To implement the results on a 3D model, realistic geometries of dendritic spines were created through the smoothing of meshes. Then, the ODE model of calcium influx through NMDAR can be converted to a full spatial, PDE model in these realistic 3D geometries to allow for a visual representation of the diffusion of calcium ions in dendritic spines.

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Competition history

  • JSHS 2022 Category not listed

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Source: Junior Science and Humanities Symposium

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