Model: HODHUX, the Hodgkin-Huxley model for membrane conductance

1. TABLE OF CONTENTS

Reference

Input parameters

Calculated Parameters

Output Variables

Diagram

Equations and Descriptions

Model demonstrations with parameter sets

2. IMPORTANT !!! To run a demonstration, enter "xhost +nsr.bioeng.washington.edu" in one of your windows to allow the demonstration program to open windows on your machine !!!

3. Reference

Hodgkin, A.L. and Huxley, A.F., "A quantitative description of membrane current and its application to conduction and excitation in nerve, J. Physiol. (1952) 117, 500-544.

4. Input parameters

HODHUX is parameterized as follows.

Table 1. HODHUX Input Parameters

Parameter

Description

Units

I

Total current (capacity current + ionic currents)

mu A/cm^2

cm

Membrane capacity,

cmdvdtis the capacity current

mu F/cm^2

gk(gbarK)

Potassium conductance

gkn4 is the ionic current

carried by potassium ions

m.mho/cm^2

vk (VK)

Potential associated with potassium ions

mV

gna (gbarNa)

Sodium conductance

gnam3 is the ionic

current carried by sodium ions

m.mho/cm^2

vna (VNa)

Potential associated with sodium ions

mV

gl (gbarl)

Leakage conductance

glvv1 leakage current carried by

chloride and other ions

m.mho/cm^2

v1 (Vl)

Potential associated with chloride

and other ions

mV

v0 (V0)

Initial Potential

mV

Temperature

Temperature, reaction rates triple for

every 10 degrees centigrade change in

temperature

degrees Centigrade

vrest (Vrest)

Resting membrane potential

mV

Access to all input variables is via selecting "Inputs" under the "Parameters" menu.

5. Calculated Parameters

The following parameters are calculated from the Input parametersAccess to all Access to all calculated variables is via selecting "Calculated" under the "Parameters" menu.

Table 2.

Parameter

Description

Units

f14 (phi)

f15 controls the

reaction speed of the alpha and beta

constants which it multiplies.

At 16.3 degrees centigrade, the rate

constants are increased by a factor of

3.0.

none

n0 (n0rest)

Initial value of n at time=0 (a function

of Vrest)

none

f17 (m0rest)

Initial value of m at time=0 (a

function of Vrest)

none

f18 (h0rest)

Initial value of h at time=0 (a function

of Vrest)

none

 

6. Output Variables

Output variables are given by:

Table 3. HODHUX Output Variables

Parameter

Description

Units

f19

Membrane potential

mV

f20

Dimensionless time dependent

variable affecting ionic potassium

current

none

f21

Dimensionless time dependent

variable affecting ionic sodium

current

none

f22

Dimensionless time dependent

variable affecting ionic sodium

current

none

f23 (alphan)

Voltage dependent parameter

governing time dependent variable n

1/msec

f24 (betan)

Voltage dependent parameter

governing time dependent variable n

1/msec

f25 (alpham)

Voltage dependent parameter

governing time dependent variable m

1/msec

f26 (betam)

Voltage dependent parameter

governing time dependent variable m

1/msec

f27 (alphah)

Voltage dependent parameter

governing time dependent variable h

1/msec

f28 (betah)

Voltage dependent parameter

governing time dependent variable h

1/msec

f29 (IK)

Ionic potassium current

mu A/cm^2

f30 (INa)

Ionic sodium Current

mu A/cm^2

f31 (Il)

Ionic leakage current, due to chloride and other ions

mu A/cm^2

f32 (gK)

Total potassium conductance

f33  

m.mho/cm^2

f34 (gNa)

Total sodium conductance

f35 

m.mho/cm^2

To plot results, select "Plot Area 1" from the Results menu. Place the cursor in an unused box under Y-parameters and press the right mouse button to bring up a list of plottable variables.

7. Diagram

hodhux.html-36

 8. Equations and Descriptions

The five governing equations are

eq1

The equations for an, bn, am, bm, ah, and bh are given in the reference on page 519 as:

hod1

hod2

hod3

Note that an and am are undefined for V=-10 and -25, respectively, but are continuous functions when the limiting values are taken for those values.

The Initial condition for n is given in the resting state, defined by V=0 , in the model, Vrest , as hod4. Initial conditions for m and h are similarly defined. Depolarization means a negative voltage. The temperature dependence of the model is embodied in the parameter om , which triples the rate constants for every increase of 10oC.

 

9. Model demonstrations with parameter sets

The user should inspect the input parameters and the output curves. Output curves can be found under the Results button under Plot Area 1 and Plot Area 2.

The following parameter sets are can be demonstrated by clicking on them:

9.1. Figure 12 : hodhux.FIG12.xsim.par

Run the model. Under Results, display Plot Area 1. This parameter sets reproduces Figure 12 from the reference.

9.2. Fluctuating output: hodhux.fluctuating.par

Run the model. Under Results, display Plot Area 1. This parameter set reproduces a fluctuation membrane potential.


Copyright © 2000, National Simulation Resource, University of Washington.

Contact garyr@bioeng.washington.edu with comments, questions, or critiques.