The principle of least effective volume, which is postulated in this study, leads to analytical derivation of dendritic branch angles of pyramidal neurons. Global parameters such as combined length and shaft area measured in anatomical experiments are analytically formulated as functions of some parameters (called fundamental parameters in this study). The plots of the formulas are closely consistent with experimental data [Larkman, J. Comp. Neurol. 306, 307 (1991); 306, 320 (1991)]. Our result suggests the existence of a few factors, which are probably chemical, responsible for determining the parameters that work in the morphological rules of dendrites. The values of diameters and lengths are given by this theory recursively. It is expected that these values can be used for the morphological data which are the boundary conditions of the cable model and the electrodiffusion model.

• Received 23 February 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.48.3124