Neural impulse transmission and its effects on the functioning of the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) have always been in the forefront of discussion and studies, in the field of memory and behavioural changes.
A research team comprising of professors from New Jersey's Science & Technology University (NJIT) have published developments from a recent project on calcium and synaptic transmission. NJIT, is currently in the top tier of national research universities and is internationally recognized for its cutting edge in knowledge in fields like applied mathematics, wireless communications and networking, solar physics, advanced engineered particulate materials, nanotechnology, neural engineering.
The specific role of calcium in synaptic transmission in the nervous system, were carried out published in the "N-type Ca2+ channels carry the largest current: Implications for nanodomains and transmitter release," in Nature Neuroscience on Oct. 17, 2010 by this team.
NJIT Associate Professor Victor Matveev, PhD, in the department of mathematical sciences, was part of a research team and it was headed by Elise Stanley, PhD, a senior scientist at the Toronto Western Research Institute.
"These findings may help to explain why nature evolved this new family of channels, permitting an efficient transmitter release mechanism with a modular molecular organization. Our next objective will be to determine how this exquisitely organized 'molecular machine' plays a role in synaptic modulation which is critical for memory and behavior modification." said Stanley.
Given that, transmitter release is involved in virtually every aspect of nervous system function, these results will have profound impact not only on studies on disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system disorders but also the understanding of normal brain processing.
In contrast to the channel conductance hierarchy accepted till date, this observations of these experiment are, that calcium current through an N-type channel was larger in comparison to calcium channels that are not involved in synaptic transmission, contrary to the currently accepted. Stanley further elaborated that Matveev's mathematical modelling showed that calcium influx through a single N-type calcium channel is sufficient to trigger the fusion of a secretory vesicle located 25 nm from the channel.
The authors' modeling work also showed that the current through a single open N-type calcium channel may be sufficient to enable neurotransmitter release. These results bring to light the highly localized nature of intra-synaptic calcium signalling. And also reveal the extent to which N-type calcium channel properties are adapted for their role in synaptic transmission.
Matveev's research based on computational neuroscience, more specifically focuses on biophysical modelling and numerical simulations of synaptic function and its mechanisms. He also puts to use analytical methods and computational techniques, ranging from stochastic modeling to numerical solution of partial and ordinary differential equations.
Matveev collaborates with neurophysiologists, to develop models based on his experimental data. The current projects he is engaged in include the study of the mechanisms of short-term synaptic facilitation and other calcium-dependent processes involved in neurotransmitter secretion, and the modeling of presynaptic calcium diffusion and buffering.
Matveev also has been working on the development of a software application designed for solving the reaction-diffusion equation arising in the study of intracellular calcium dynamics.
The research will have far reaching impact on the medical knowledge and treatment of disorders of the nervous system.
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