Relative Timescale of Channel Voltage-Dependence and Channel Density Regulation Impacts Assembly and Recovery of Activity

Abstract Neurons can maintain stable activity profiles over their lifetimes despite ion channel turnover over minutes to weeks. Neuronal activity is also influenced by regulating the voltage-dependence of ion channels. How do these two forms of plasticity work together to maintain a stable activity profile? We augment a classical model of activity-dependent ion channel density regulation with a mechanism that adjusts channel voltage-dependence based on activity. These findings reveal that the timescale of these mechanisms shape the specific electrical activity patterns that achieve a target activity profile. Moreover, alterations in channel voltage-dependence can impact a neuron’s ability to recover from perturbations. These results highlight a potentially distinct role for activity-dependent regulation of channel voltage-dependence in maintaining stable neuronal activity profiles.