Contact: Megan Fellman
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Northwestern University

Computer Simulation Showing Color-Coded Voltage in a Portion of a Neuron’s Dendritic Tree

Caption: This is a computer simulation showing color-coded voltage (in millivolts) in a portion of a neuron’s dendritic tree. Computer-generated spines have been attached to the dendrites, and synapses on seven spines near the center have been activated, raising the voltage at those locations. The simulation quantifies the spread of electric charge and the accompanying voltage rise in neighboring parts of the dendritic tree a short time (1-1/3 milliseconds) after the synapses have been activated.

Credit: William Kath, Northwestern University

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