An equivalent cable model for neuronal trees with active membrane

Abstract.

A non-uniform equivalent cable model of membrane voltage changes in branching neuronal trees with active ion channels has been developed. A general branching condition is formulated, extending Rall's 3/2 power rule for passive dendritic trees so that non-uniform cable segments can be treated. The theoretical results support the use of the dendritic profile model of Clements and Redman. The theory is then applied to dendrites of different morphological type yielding qualitative different response behaviour.