Computational Model of Synaptic Transmission at the Vestibular Hair Cell Calyx Synapse

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorRaphael, Robert M
dc.creatorGovindaraju, Aravind Chenrayan
dc.date.accessioned2020-08-14T18:34:42Z
dc.date.available2020-08-14T18:34:42Z
dc.date.created2020-08
dc.date.issued2020-08-13
dc.date.submittedAugust 2020
dc.date.updated2020-08-14T18:34:43Z
dc.description.abstract"In the sensory neuroepithelia of the vestibular system, the organ which detects head orientation and acceleration, Type I sensory hair cells are enveloped by a cup-like process (calyx) of the afferent neuron and possess a characteristic low voltage activated potassium conductance (gKL) on their basolateral surface. The presence of the calyx creates a unique synapse morphology which is thought to limit the diffusion of ions and support two modes of neurotransmission between the hair cell and afferent neuron: Quantal (Q) – through the release of neurotransmitters and Non-Quantal (NQ) – through non-neurotransmitter mediated effects such as ephaptic coupling and potassium accumulation in the synaptic cleft. The importance and necessity of NQ transmission has been unclear. Direct experimental measurement of electric potentials and ion concentrations in the hair cell and afferent, let alone the synaptic cleft, is difficult. We have developed a computational model to probe the dynamic behavior of the Vestibular Hair Cell Calyx (VHCC) synapse and understand the role of non-quantal transmission. The VHCC model uses expressions for K+ and Na+ electro-diffusion in the cleft, Hodgkin-Huxley-like ion currents based on whole-cell recordings, stochastic vesicle release, and the cable equation to calculate potentials in the hair cell, cleft, afferent calyx and afferent fiber. Model simulations suggest that ephaptic coupling at the VHCC synapse is active at all frequencies, does not exhibit high-pass behavior as previously thought and may be an indefatigable method of communication between the type I hair cell and calyx."
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.citationGovindaraju, Aravind Chenrayan. "Computational Model of Synaptic Transmission at the Vestibular Hair Cell Calyx Synapse." (2020) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/109203">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/109203</a>.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/109203
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.
dc.subjectVestibular
dc.subjectCalyx
dc.subjectHair Cell
dc.subjectSynapse
dc.subjectTransmission
dc.subjectNon-Quantal
dc.titleComputational Model of Synaptic Transmission at the Vestibular Hair Cell Calyx Synapse
dc.typeThesis
dc.type.materialText
thesis.degree.departmentApplied Physics
thesis.degree.disciplineNatural Sciences
thesis.degree.grantorRice University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.majorApplied Physics/Bioengineering
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
GOVINDARAJU-DOCUMENT-2020.pdf
Size:
4.89 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
PROQUEST_LICENSE.txt
Size:
5.86 KB
Format:
Plain Text
Description:
Download
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
LICENSE.txt
Size:
2.62 KB
Format:
Plain Text
Description:
Download
Collections
Rice University Electronic Theses and Dissertations