A Computational Model to Analyse E/I (Excitation/Inhibition) Dynamics for Neural Network Integrated with Astrocyte

Excitatory glutamate and inhibitory GABA dynamics homeostasis, which is often designated as E/I ratio, is regulated by different types of neural inhibitory circuit system. Gliotransmitter released from astrocyte coupled with two main types of the neural network system, feedback and feedforward inhibitory network can render alteration in E/I dynamics. The recent study provides a new model to study the E/I dynamics by integrating the neural circuit with astrocyte, aiming to understand the effect of input synaptic current ranging 20 −40µA/cm², the effect of two different types of neural inhibition networks on the E/I dynamics and the effect of information transmission from astrocyte to the neural network with different coupling parameters on the E/I dynamics. The simulated result reveals that the frequency of E/I peak and the maximum peak height is increased with increasing the input current. The maximum E/I peak is diminished in the case of feedback inhibition system than the feedforward system with the constant input current. Another important outcome of the model is that the E/I ratio is dependent on the astrocytic glutamate with a limiting coupling parameter value.