Simulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor induced effects in the lamprey CPG

Metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) activation modulates the lamprey spinal locomotor network. Potentiation of the NMDA receptor current is observed suggesting that one possible mechanism for mGluR to regulate locomotion is through such an interaction. The present study investigates this possibility. The behavior of NMDA induced oscillations are explored when potentiation is achieved of different contributing factors of the NMDA receptor current. The effects on the duration of the depolarized phase as well as hyperpolarized interval depend on both level of activation and holding potential of the cells. From these effects on the cell level the network effects are predicted.