Simulation Of Neurotransmitter Release At The Neuromuscular Junction

A mathematical model is presented for simulation of neurotransmitter release in the synaptic cleft of a neuromuscular junction. Chaudhuri's model is improved by adding calcium diffusion effect on the neurotransmitter release. When an action potential occurs, the calcium channels on presynaptic membrane will open and allow calcium ions to enter in presynaptic terminal. Then, these ions diffuse between calcium channels and release sites, where clearance mechanisms remove some of them. The model is defined by some partial differential equations which are solved by numerical methods. Solving these equations, the temporal changes of calcium concentration in the release sites and the amount of neurotransmitter release at each time are obtained. Finally, the effect of two consecutive action potential pulses on the above mechanisms is studied.