Berlin 2015 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 2: Neurophysics I

BP 2.11: Talk

Monday, March 16, 2015, 12:15–12:30, H 1058

anomalous transport in complex dendrites - geometrical considerations — m reza shaebani, •anne e hafner, and ludger santen — Department of Theoretical Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrucken, Germany

Dendritic spines, which are small membranous protrusions emerging from the dendrites, serve as the main recipients of exitatory inputs in the mammalian brain. The spines undergo dynamic structural changes, which is regulated by neuronal activity and is believed to be a cellular basis of neural functions such as cognition, memory, and learning. The density, morphology, and spatial distribution of spines vary at different cortical areas or due to neurodegenerative diseases or aging. Morphological changes of spines influences the transport characteristics of ions and other molecules in dendrites, since they are frequently trapped in the spines which slows down their propagation in the dendritic channel. Anomalous diffusion of tracer particles has been reported in dendrites, which is strongly dependent on spines morphological properties. Here we analytically study a diffusive motion composed of two different modes of motility, a motion and a waiting mode. We investigate how the overall transport properties depend on the structural properties of the dendrites and spines, and on the fraction of time spent in each state. The analytical predictions are in agreement with available experimental data as well as the results of extensive Monte Carlo simulations.