The Dynamics of Quantal Neuromusular Transmission

Abstract

This thesis describes the development of a new tool to aid the investigation of neuromuscular transmission. The tool is a suite of computer programs which implement a discrete numerical simulation of some of the events occurring during quantal transmission at the vertebrate skeletal neuromuscular junction. It enables the user to investigate the effects of variations in several of the parameters involved, including synaptic morphology, receptor density, and transmitter binding kinetics, some of which are notaccessible to the experimenter. Predictions made can then be compared with data obtained from physiological experiments. This can be used to improve our understanding of the process of neuromuscular transmission, both in normal animals and those suffering from disorders such as myasthenia gravis and other diseases which affect the neuromuscular junction.