title: Control of neural synchrony using channelrhodopsin-2: a computational study.
abstract: In this paper, we present an optical stimulation based approach to induce 1:1 in-phase synchrony in a network of coupled interneurons wherein each interneuron expresses the light sensitive protein channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2). We begin with a transition rate model for the channel kinetics of ChR2 in response to light stimulation. We then define "functional optical time response curve (fOTRC)" as a measure of the response of a periodically firing interneuron (transfected with ChR2 ion channel) to a periodic light pulse stimulation. We specifically consider the case of unidirectionally coupled (UCI) network and propose an open loop control architecture that uses light as an actuation signal to induce 1:1 in-phase synchrony in the UCI network. Using general properties of the spike time response curves (STRCs) for Type-1 neuron model (Ermentrout, Neural Comput 8:979-1001, 1996) and fOTRC, we estimate the (open loop) optimal actuation signal parameters required to induce 1:1 in-phase synchrony. We then propose a closed loop controller architecture and a controller algorithm to robustly sustain stable 1:1 in-phase synchrony in the presence of unknown deviations in the network parameters. Finally, we test the performance of this closed-loop controller in a network of mutually coupled (MCI) interneurons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA. talathi@ufl.edu
authors.forename: Sachin S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Talathi
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Carney
authors.forename: Pramod P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Khargonekar
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000075402:Channelrhodopsins; D003198:Computer Simulation; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000075402:Channelrhodopsins