Astrocyte to Neuron Communication Channels With Applications

Bioinspired communication techniques are emerging with increasing interest in parallel with recent advancements of nanotechnology. Particular interest is observed in the development of neuronal interfaces for human-machine communication and nanoscale neuronal devices. We propose a novel description of the communication pathways existing in the neuronal circuits, based on the abstract dynamics between different components of the neuronal communication. In the analysis, a critical role is played by glia cells, such as the astrocytes, which support and actively modulate the neuronal activity of adjacent neurons, as shown in experiments conducted the last decades. For this reason, the concept of tripartite synapse, where two neurons are interfaced with the astrocyte, is central in our abstraction. First, we define the layers of the bidirectional neuron–astrocyte communication and describe mathematically the relations connecting different quantities, i.e., intracellular molecular concentrations and currents produced on the cellular membrane. Second, the astrocytic signaling is investigated for the design of a neuronal communication interface based on the propagation of calcium waves through the astrocytic network. The proposed analysis provides an organized framework for an alternative description of the synaptic communication as well as for aiding the development of artificial biomimetic devices and prostheses.