Computational approaches to the ionic basis of pacemaker activity – from channel kinetics to the regional differences in rhythm

Computer models are used to explore the ionic basis underlying the pacemaking activity of rabbit SA node cells and their regional differences. It was shown that regional differences in the electrical activities of sinoatrial node cells are resulted from the regional differences in their ionic kinetics, rather than from a gradient change of mixture of atrial cells within the sinoatrial node from centre to the periphery.