Figure 1

Simulated model response to alcohol consumption. (A) The model with Parameter Set A was simulated with a gradually growing dimensionless alcohol input that approximates three alcohol consumption peaks per day (as shown in the 24-hour inset) and an abrupt withdrawal after 500 hours. (B) The resultant controller activity, expressed as number of NMDARs translocated to the synapse per hour. In response to the changing levels of active, unblocked NMDARs at the synapse, the activity controller (dark red) moves NMDARs from the extrasynaptic pool to the synapse, while the density controller (navy blue) removes NMDARs from the synapse. The overall, composite controller activity is shown in grey. (C) Dynamics of unblocked (red), blocked (blue), and total (purple) NMDARs at the synapse in response to the alcohol profile shown in Panel A.