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Pharmacopsychiatry 2010; 43: S82-S91
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1252025
Original Paper

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Neurones and Synapses for Systemic Models of Psychiatric Disorders

S. Postnova1 , 2 , 3 , E. Rosa4  Jr. , H. A. Braun1
  • 1Institute of Physiology, University of Marburg, Germany
  • 2School of Physics, University of Sydney, Australia
  • 3Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
  • 4Department of Physics, Illinois State University, Normal, USA
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
18 May 2010 (online)

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Abstract

We propose a mechanism-based modelling approach which brings together the most relevant features of neural dynamics and synaptic transmission for clinically valuable simulations of psychiatric disorders and their pharmaceutical treatment. It is based on a minimal, but physiologically justified concept, which allows to account for a great diversity of neuronal dynamics and synaptic mechanisms. It can simulate ionotropic as well as metabotropic receptors in addition to the effects of eventual co-transmitters and external neuromodulators. The proposed model can mimic the clinically most important aspects of synaptic disturbances, such as impaired transmitter availability or reduced number of postsynaptic receptors, for example due to their internalization as a function of transmitter concentration. It also allows evaluation of the effects of drugs with specific actions such as receptor agonists and antagonists or reuptake inhibitors. It is a major advantage of this physiologically based approach that it can be adjusted to different types of neurons and synapses, and also can be extended to more elaborate physiological situations, e. g. by including additional receptors or ion channels, whenever this is indicated by clinical or experimental data.

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Correspondence

H. A. Braun

Institute of Physiology

Neurodynamics Group

University of Marburg

Deutschhausstraße 2

35037 Marburg

Germany

Phone: +49/6421/286 2307

Fax: +49/6421/286 6967

Email: braun@staff.uni-marburg.de

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