Response of a neuronal network computational model to infrared neural stimulation

Abstract

Infrared neural stimulation (INS), as a novel form of neuromodulation, allows modulating the activity of nerve cells through thermally induced capacitive currents and thermal sensitivity ion channels. However, fundamental questions remain about the exact mechanism of INS and how the photothermal effect influences the neural response. Computational neural modeling can provide a powerful methodology for understanding the law of action of INS. We developed a temperature-dependent model of ion channels and membrane capacitance based on the photothermal effect to quantify the effect of INS on the direct response of individual neurons and neuronal networks. The neurons were connected through excitatory and inhibitory synapses and constituted a complex neuronal network model. Our results showed that a slight increase in temperature promoted the neuronal spikes and enhanced network activity, whereas the ultra-temperature inhibited neuronal activity. This biophysically based simulation illustrated the optical dose-dependent biphasic cell response with capacitive current as the core change condition. The computational model provided a new sight to elucidate mechanisms and inform parameter selection of INS.

Neuromodulatory Compensation of Cortical Neural Activity on Electrodeposited Pt/Ir Modified Microelectrode Arrays for Temperature Transients

“…Temperature-dependent neuromodulation modulates various neural processes, which play crucial roles in neural communication and information processing in neural networks. , Some studies have utilized mathematical and physical modeling to investigate the effects of temperature on simple artificial neural networks. , However, few researchers have specifically focused on the temperature transients on simplified biological neural networks cultured in vitro . In vitro neural cultures provide a unique opportunity to investigate the effects of temperature regulation on neural networks under controlled conditions, which helps obtain critical insights into the spatiotemporal dynamics under thermal stimuli .…”