Abstract
There is a steadily growing body of experimental data describing the
diffusion of acetylcholine in the neuromuscular junction and the
subsequent miniature endplate currents produced at the postsynaptic
membrane. To gain further insights into the structural features governing
synaptic transmission, we have performed calculations using a simplified
finite element model of the neuromuscular junction. The diffusing
acetylcholine molecules are modeled as a continuum, whose spatial
and temporal distribution is governed by the force-free diffusion
equation. The finite element method was adopted because of its flexibility
in modeling irregular geometries and complex boundary conditions.
The resulting simulations are shown to be in accord with experiment
and other simulations.
- 9746510
- acetylcholine,
- acetylcholinesterase,
- agents,
- animals,
- cholinergic,
- diffusion,
- endplate,
- gov't,
- junction,
- models,
- motor
- neurological,
- neuromuscular
- neurotransmitter
- nicotinic,
- p.h.s.,
- receptors,
- research
- support,
- synapses,
- synaptic
- transmission,
- u.s.
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