A computer model of mammalian central CO2 chemoreception.

We developed a single compartment model of a mammalian CO2 sensitive neuron and tested the hypothesis that pH-dependent inhibition of multiple potassium channels contributes to CO2 sensitivity. pH-dependent inhibition of potassium channels by either intracellular or extracellular pH was sufficient to alter neuronal activity, but changes in neither intracellular nor extracellular pH are required to elicit a neuronal response to hypercapnic stimulation.