title: Spontaneous oscillations of dressed neurons: a new mechanism for epilepsy?
abstract: Most modeling studies of neurons and neuronal networks are based on the assumption that the neurons are isolated from their normal environment. Based on recent experimental data we put forward a model for neurons that incorporates the influence of the surrounding glia (dressed neurons). We predict seizurelike spontaneous oscillations in the absence of stimuli for strong coupling between neurons and astrocytes. Consistent with our predictions, a signature of this enhanced crosstalk, over expression of glutamate receptors in astrocytes, has been observed specifically in epileptic tissue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy and Quantitative Biology Institute, Ohio University, Athens Ohio 45701, USA.
authors.forename: Suhita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nadkarni
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jung
mesh_terms: D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D015544:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D015544:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate; D002118:Calcium