Synaptic Conductance

Convert a leak-subtracted voltage-clamp current trace into conductance at a fixed nonzero driving force; pA/mV yields nS.

Description

Synaptic conductance relates current to driving voltage relative to a reversal potential.

Synaptic conductance relates current to driving voltage relative to a reversal potential. With pA and mV inputs, the quotient has units of nS.

The tool returns drivingForceMv (driving force mv); conductancesNs (conductances ns). Input measurements and model parameters are supplied by the caller; the tool computes the stated summary rather than acquiring those measurements.

When to use Synaptic Conductance

Use Synaptic Conductance when you already have currentsPa, holdingPotentialMv, reversalPotentialMv and want drivingForceMv, conductancesNs. This is useful for checking a supplied calculation, documenting a measurement convention, or comparing observations prepared on the same basis.

How to use Synaptic Conductance and understand its results

Enter currentsPa, holdingPotentialMv, reversalPotentialMv using the field table below. Match the units, ordering and data boundaries described in the calculation.
Run the tool after checking the stated bounds and matching paired observations or categories. A malformed request gives a tool error rather than a usable measurement.
Read drivingForceMv, conductancesNs. Use the calculation and interpretation below to distinguish amounts, ratios, signs and decision flags where applicable.
Review the supplied parameters and assumptions before using the result in a report or comparing it with another observation.

Input field	Meaning	Value type and bounds	Requirement
currentsPa	Currents pa	list of number	Required
holdingPotentialMv	Holding potential mv	number	Required
reversalPotentialMv	Reversal potential mv	number	Required

Require a nonempty current trace and nonzero driving force. Divide each signed current by that force and reject negative inferred conductances.

g[nS] = I[pA] / (holdingPotential−reversalPotential)[mV]

The symbols refer to the supplied quantities or generated values described above; unit conversions and comparison boundaries follow the stated implementation.

json

{
  "input": {
    "currentsPa": [
      -20,
      -40
    ],
    "holdingPotentialMv": -60,
    "reversalPotentialMv": -40
  },
  "output": {
    "drivingForceMv": -20,
    "conductancesNs": [
      1,
      2
    ]
  }
}

Limitations and assumptions

Reversal potential is supplied, not fitted. Series resistance, changing driving voltage and multiple current components are not corrected.

Numerical inputs must be finite. The tool checks its declared input shape and calculation constraints; those checks do not verify the quality, calibration or representativeness of the supplied observations.

Alternative or Complementary methods

Reversal Potential: Estimate synaptic reversal potential from a linear leak-subtracted I–V regression, rather than an ion-concentration Nernst calculation. Synaptic Current Amplitude: Measure a caller-polarity synaptic current extremum relative to a sampled baseline; inward currents preserve a negative amplitude.

Methodological background: Synapses and short-term synaptic dynamics.^[1]

References

Synapses and short-term synaptic dynamics — Gerstner et al.; Neuronal Dynamics

Similar or alternative tools

Reversal Potential
Estimate synaptic reversal potential from a linear leak-subtracted I–V regression, rather than an ion-concentration Nernst calculation.
Synaptic Current Amplitude
Measure a caller-polarity synaptic current extremum relative to a sampled baseline; inward currents preserve a negative amplitude.