Computational simulation of spike patterns in STN neuron using Izhikevich model

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one amongst the most common movement malfunction caused by neurodegeneration in basal ganglia. Several research groups have been proposed different model mechanisms to explain the pathophysiology of this disorder. It has been observed that Deep brain stimulation (DBS) at the subthalamic nucleus (STN) neuron site improves the PD as a new, effective and efficient treatment method. The firing properties of STN neurons in terms of single-spike or the burst modes modulate pathophysiological conditions in PD. It is essential to study the electrical firing properties of STN neuron to understand the PD symptoms in a better way. Nowadays, Computational models are the most effective techniques in investigating complex biological processes. Here, we have simulated different firing patterns in STN neuron using the popular Izhikevich model. By tuning some parameters in our model, we can alter the firing patterns from single mode to burst mode in single STN cell. In future, this simple firing rate model can be coupled to other neuronal models in basal ganglia to investigate movement disorders.