Simulations of space-clamp errors in estimating parameters of voltage-gated conductances localized at different electrotonic distances

The ability to correct parameters of voltage-gated conductances measured under poor spatial control by a point voltage clamp could rescue much /awed experimental data, but requires a detailed understanding of errors caused by poor space clamp. We evaluated errors in simulated voltage-clamp experiments on a soma with a single (0:5 ) cylindrical process having a patch of voltage-dependent Hodgkin–Huxley channels placed at various distances from the soma. Kinetic and steady-state parameters were obtained by 4tting the current curves. Most parameter errors increased as the patch was located more distally on the neurite. c © 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.