From in silico astrocyte cell models to neuron-astrocyte network models: A review

Franziska Oschmann (1, 2) , Hugues Berry (3, 4, 5) , Klaus Obermayer (1, 2) , Kerstin Lenk (6)

1 NI - Neural Information Processing Group [Berlin]
2 Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience [Berlin]
3 LIRIS - Laboratoire d'InfoRmatique en Image et Systèmes d'information
4 BEAGLE - Artificial Evolution and Computational Biology
5 Inria Grenoble - Rhône-Alpes
6 TUT - Tampere University of Technology [Tampere]

The idea that astrocytes may be active partners in synaptic information processing has recently emerged from abundant experimental reports. Because of their spatial proximity to neurons and their bidirectional communication with them, astrocytes are now considered as an important third element of the synapse. Astrocytes integrate and process synaptic information and by doing so generate cytosolic calcium signals that are believed to reflect neuronal transmitter release. Moreover, they regulate neuronal information transmission by releasing gliotransmitters into the synaptic cleft affecting both pre-and postsynaptic receptors. Concurrent with the first experimental reports of the astrocytic impact on neural network dynamics, computational models describing astrocytic functions have been developed. In this review, we give an overview over the published computational models of astrocytic functions, from single-cell dynamics to the tripartite synapse level and network models of astrocytes and neurons.

Keywords: Tripartite synapse; In silico; Neuron; Network; Simulation; Astrocyte

Domains: Quantitative Methods [q-bio.QM]; Neurobiology

Franziska Oschmann, Hugues Berry, Klaus Obermayer, Kerstin Lenk. From in silico astrocyte cell models to neuron-astrocyte network models: A review. Brain Research Bulletin, 2018, 136, pp.76-84. ⟨10.1016/j.brainresbull.2017.01.027⟩. ⟨hal-01461928v2⟩