Modelling endplate currents: dependence on quantum secretion probability and decay of miniature current.

Quantification of the time course and amplitude of endplate currents (EPC) was made with respect to dispersion of quanta secretion and to changes in the exponential decay of miniature endplate currents (tau mepc). The relationship between RPC amplitude and tau mepc follows a double-exponential curve with tau1 = 0.3 ms and tau2 = 6 ms. If the amplitude of fully synchronised EPC is taken as 100%, then the loss of EPC amplitude is already 42% with "physiological" parameters of dispersion (the half-rise and decay constant of distribution of secretion probability = 0.5 ms, taumepc = 1 ms). This loss is even more substantial if secretion is more dispersed or miniature endplate currents decay faster.