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Coexistence of AMPA and NMDA receptors in glutamatergic synapses leads to a cooperative effect that can be very complex. This effect is dependent on many parameters including the relative and absolute number of the two types of receptors and biophysical parameters that can vary among synapses of the same cell. Herein we simulate the AMPA/NMDA cooperativity by using different number of the two types of receptors and considering the effect of the spine resistance on the EPSC production. Our results show that the relative number of NMDA with respect to AMPA produces a different degree of cooperation which depends also on the spine resistance.

Glutamatergic synapses play a pivotal role in brain excitation. The synaptic response is mediated by the activity of two receptor types (AMPA and NMDA). In the present paper we propose a model of glutamatergic synaptic activity where the fast current generated by the AMPA conductance produces a local depolarization which activates the voltage- and [Mg(2+)]-dependent NMDA conductance. This cooperative effect is dependent on the biophysical properties of the synaptic spine which can be considered a high input resistance specialized compartment. Herein we present results of simulations where different values of the spine resistance and of the Mg(2+) concentrations determine different levels of cooperativeness between AMPA and NMDA receptors in shaping the post-synaptic response.

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