Astrocytic-based Controller Shifts Epileptic Activity to the Chaotic State

Abstract

Investigating effective controller to shift hippocampal epileptic periodicity to normal chaotic behavior will be new hope for epilepsy treatment. Astrocytes nourish and protect neurons as well as maintaining synaptic transmission and network activity. Therefore, this study explores the ameliorating effect of astrocyte computational model on epileptic periodicity. Modified Morris-Lecar equations were used to model hippocampal CA3 network. Network inhibitory parameters were employed to generate oscillation induced epileptiform periodicity. The astrocyte controller was based on a functional dynamic mathematical model of brain astrocytic cells. Results demonstrated that synchronization of two neural networks shifted the brain chaotic state to periodicity. Applying astrocytic controller to the synchronized networks returned the system to the desynchronized chaotic state. It is concluded that astrocytes are probably a good model in controlling epileptic periodicity. However, more research efforts are needed to delineate the effect.