Dynamics of coupled nonlinear neuronal-astrocyte model

Abstract

More evidence indicates that central nervous system diseases are related to abnormal regulation of the reciprocal expression of nerve cells and astrocytes. In this paper, we investigated the dynamics of a model incorporating both a neuron and an astrocyte to elucidate the effective interaction between the two components. In this coupled system, external stimulation is applied to the neuron and the astrocyte, respectively. The results showed that after successive stimuli separated by 20 s, both neurons and astrocytes can exhibit the so-called hyperexcitability and nonlinear wave characterized by a decrease in the threshold for activation and an increase in spontaneous firing rate. Furthermore, this paper reveals the potential dynamic changes in the formation and disappearance of hyperexcitability and its transition mechanisms. It can be helpful for further understanding the bifurcation behavior during the progression of central nervous system dysfunction.