title: From in silico astrocyte cell models to neuron-astrocyte network models: A review.
abstract: The idea that astrocytes may be active partners in synaptic information processing has recently emerged from abundant experimental reports. Because of their spatial proximity to neurons and their bidirectional communication with them, astrocytes are now considered as an important third element of the synapse. Astrocytes integrate and process synaptic information and by doing so generate cytosolic calcium signals that are believed to reflect neuronal transmitter release. Moreover, they regulate neuronal information transmission by releasing gliotransmitters into the synaptic cleft affecting both pre- and postsynaptic receptors. Concurrent with the first experimental reports of the astrocytic impact on neural network dynamics, computational models describing astrocytic functions have been developed. In this review, we give an overview over the published computational models of astrocytic functions, from single-cell dynamics to the tripartite synapse level and network models of astrocytes and neurons.
authors.affiliation: Technical University Berlin, Neural Information Processing Group, Sekr. MAR 5-6, Marchstrasse 23, 10587 Berlin, Germany; Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: oschmann@ni.tu-berlin.de.
authors.forename: Franziska
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Oschmann
authors.affiliation: INRIA, 69603 Villeurbanne, France; LIRIS UMR5205, University of Lyon, 69622 Villeurbanne, France.
authors.forename: Hugues
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Berry
authors.affiliation: Technical University Berlin, Neural Information Processing Group, Sekr. MAR 5-6, Marchstrasse 23, 10587 Berlin, Germany; Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Obermayer
authors.affiliation: Tampere University of Technology, BioMediTech, PL100, 33014 Tampere, Finland. Electronic address: lenk.kerstin@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lenk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Astrocyte; In silico; Network; Neuron; Simulation; Tripartite synapse