Continuum and compartmental models are presented as alternative descriptions of the electrical behaviour of a dendrite. The one-dimensional continuum model provides a reference against which the accuracy of compartmental models may be assessed. Traditional compartmental models are shown to be...

Compartmental models of dendrites are the most widely used tool for investigating their electrical behaviour. Traditional models assign a single potential to a compartment. This potential is associated with the membrane potential at the centre of the segment represented by the compartment. All...