The effects of NMDA receptor model time dynamics over the short and long term when set to striatal dorsolateral and ventromedial medium spiny neurons

The medium spiny neurons of the ventral medial and dorsolateral striatum play different roles in the basal ganglia. Certain differences stem from distinct NMDA receptor behaviors. To demonstrate these differences NMDA receptor time constants were adapted in our striatal medium spiny neuron model. The respective parameter values were set at published ventromedial and derived dorsolateral striatal values. The dorsal lateral values had been validated by replicating previously published action potential dynamics and individual receptor current data. Changing NMDA receptor time constants impacted how the dorsal lateral medium spiny neuron model behaved over a long time frame but not in the short term. Therefore, some difference between the dorsal lateral and ventromedial medium spiny neurons may not been seen unless examined over a longer time scale.