Modeling of Astrocyte Networks: Toward Realistic Topology and Dynamics

Neuronal firing and neuron-to-neuron synaptic wiring are currently widely described as orchestrated by astrocytes—elaborately ramified glial cells tiling the cortical hippocampal space into non-overlapping domains, each covering hundreds of individual dendrites thousands synapses. A key component to astrocytic signaling is dynamics cytosolic Ca 2+ which displays multiscale spatiotemporal patterns from short confined elemental events (puffs) waves expanding through many cells. Here, we synthesize current understanding astrocyte morphology, coupling local activity in perisynaptic processes morphology-defined mechanisms regulation a distributed model. To this end, build simplified realistic data-driven spatial network templates compile model equations defined cell morphology. The input spatially uncorrelated stochastic activity. proposed modeling approach validated statistics simulated transients at single level. In multicellular observe regular sequences entrainment waves, result interplay between morphology variability astrocytes. Our adds dimension existing models employment while retaining enough flexibility scalability be embedded heterocellular neural tissue. We conclude that provides useful description neuron-driven -activity syncytium.