Brain cell microenvironment effects on neuron excitability and basal metabolism.
In a model of neurons in a brain cell assembly, changes in volume of the extracellular space affect neuronal excitability and basal metabolism. A widely applicable coefficient of excitability with respect to a variation of the volume fraction has been determined. Calculations suggest that chloride increases membrane stability by indirectly promoting an acceleration of the metabolic pumping rate as a response to a diminished extracellular volume fraction. Volume fraction changes induced by cell swelling in a compact and highly tortuous microenvironment may play a role in epilepsy and, following brain damage, in cell death and recovery.
Aiello
G L
GL
Center for Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706, USA.
Bach-y-Rita
P
P
D001481:Basal Metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D008959:Models, Neurological; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*