论文期刊

论文标题    Astrocytic Kir4.1 channels and gap junctions account for spontaneous epileptic seizure
作者    Mengmeng Du, Jiajia Li, Liang Chen, Yuguo Yu, Ying Wu
发表/完成日期    2018-03-28
期刊名称    Plos Computational Biology
期卷   
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论文简介    Experimental recordings in hippocampal slices indicate that astrocytic dysfunction may cause neuronal hyper-excitation or seizures. Considering that astrocytes play important roles in mediating local uptake and spatial buffering of K+in the extracellular space of the cortical circuit, we constructed a novel model of an astrocyte-neuron network module con- sisting of a single compartment neuron and 4 surrounding connected astrocytes and includ- ing extracellular potassium dynamics. Next, we developed a new model function for the astrocyte gap junctions, connecting two astrocyte-neuron network modules. The function form and parameters of the gap junction were based on nonlinear regression fitting of a set of experimental data published in previous studies. Moreover, we have created numerical simulations using the above single astrocyte-neuron network module and the coupled astro- cyte-neuron network modules. Our model validates previous experimental observations that both Kir4.1 channels and gap junctions play important roles in regulating the concentration of extracellular potassium. In addition, we also observe that changes in Kir4.1 channel con- ductance and gap junction strength induce spontaneous epileptic activity in the absence of external stimuli.