Modeling Normal and Imbalanced Neural Avalanches: A Computational Approach to Understanding Criticality in the Brain and Its Potential Role in Schizophrenia

Abstract

AbstractNeural avalanches, characterized by bursts of activity followed by periods of quiescence, have been observed in the brain and are thought to reflect the critical dynamics necessary for optimal information processing. Deviations from normal avalanche behavior have been hypothesized to underlie various neurological disorders, particularly schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder associated with altered perception, cognition, and behavior, and recent theories suggest that disruptions in the brain’s critical dynamics may contribute to its pathophysiology. In this study, we present a computational model to investigate the properties of normal and imbalanced neural avalanches, with a focus on understanding the potential role of criticality in schizophrenia. We generate avalanche sizes using the Pareto distribution with a power law exponent of -3/2, which is consistent with experimental observations. The model incorporates increasing avalanche sizes over time to simulate the growth of neural activity. We introduce imbalance by adding lateness or earliness to the avalanche sizes, mimicking the potential disruptions in critical dynamics that may occur in schizophrenia. The mean and standard deviation of avalanche sizes are calculated to characterize the normal and imbalanced behavior. The results are visualized using line plots, with shaded areas representing the standard deviation range. Our model provides a framework for understanding the differences between normal and imbalanced neural avalanches, offering insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the altered critical dynamics in schizophrenia. By exploring the relationship between neural avalanches and schizophrenia, this study contributes to the ongoing efforts to elucidate the neurobiological basis of this disorder and may inform future research on potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic interventions targeting the brain’s critical dynamics.