A simplified hierarchical model for the simulation of astrocyte activity

• Grant number: 24/14422-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Antonio Carlos Roque da Silva Filho
• Grantee: Thiago Takechi Ohno Bezerra
• Supervisor: Marja-Leena Linne
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Tampere University, Finland
• Associated to the scholarship: 21/12832-7 - Impact of Dopaminergic Transmission over a Neural Network Accompanied by Astrocytes for the Simulation of Working Memory, BP.DR

Abstract

Astrocytes have gained attention in recent years by their role in cognitive and brain functions. Astrocytes respond to neurotransmitters released by neurons, such as glutamate anddopamine, increasing their intracellular Ca2+ concentration. The mechanisms that generate the Ca2+ responses are dependent on the cell morphology and biophysical parameters. Previous computational models that simulate astrocytic Ca2+ dynamics are computationally expensive, hindering the simulation of astrocytes with realistic cell morphology and neuron-astrocyte networks. The purpose of this project is to develop a simplified astrocyte model with biological plausible morphology that captures the main characteristics of the astrocytic Ca2+ responses. The cell will be modelled as a tree graph in which each process will be described by a UAR (Unactivated-Activated-Refractory) node. The model parameters will be estimated from simulations of astrocyte models. During the internship abroad, the candidate will expand his knowledge on advanced analytical and numerical methods of approaching neuron-glia interactions, which will be valuable to the continuation of his PhD project after his return and to his future career.