This model simulates the afferent neural encoding in response to mechanical colorectal stretching. A custom-built mechano-sensitive ion channel, gated by membrane tension induced by circumferential colorectal stretch, is incorporated. A lumped parametric model has been developed to calculate membrane tension from the overall colorectal stretch.

This model was developed to predict and validate the experimental studies reported in the paper. It systematically investigates the role of NaV1.6 in afferent neural encoding using subtype-selective sodium channel blockers. The model simulation recapitulates the experimental results on the necessary role of NaV1.6 in afferent neural encoding to colorectal stretch.

This code is associated with the paper:

Feng B, Zhu Y, La JH, Wills ZP, Gebhart GF. Experimental and computational evidence for an essential role of NaV1.6 in spike initiation at stretch-sensitive colorectal afferent endings. J Neurophysiol. 2015 Apr 1;113(7):2618-34. doi: 10.1152/jn.00717.2014. Epub 2015 Feb 4. PMID: 25652923; PMCID: PMC4416596.