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Gao Z, Wu L, Zhao X, Wei Z, Lu L, Yi M. Random fluctuations and synaptic plasticity enhance working memory activities in the neuron-astrocyte network. Cogn Neurodyn 2024; 18:503-518. [PMID: 38699624 PMCID: PMC11061073 DOI: 10.1007/s11571-023-10002-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Random fluctuations are inescapable feature in biological systems, but appropriate intensity of randomness can effectively facilitate information transfer and memory encoding within the nervous system. In the study, a modified spiking neuron-astrocyte network model with excitatory-inhibitory balance and synaptic plasticity is established. This model considers external input noise, and allows investigating the effects of intrinsic random fluctuations on working memory tasks. It is found that the astrocyte network, acting as a low-pass filter, reduces the noise component of the total input currents and improves the recovered images. The memory performance is enhanced by selecting appropriate intensity of random fluctuations, while excessive intensity can inhibit signal transmission of network. As the intensity of random fluctuations gradually increases, there exists a maximum value of the working memory performance. The cued recall of the network markedly decreases excessive input noise relative to test images. Meanwhile, a greater contrast effect is observed as the external input noise increases. In addition, synaptic plasticity reduces the firing rates and firing peaks of neurons, thus stabilizing the working memory activity during the test. The outcomes of this study may provide some inspirations for comprehending the role of random fluctuations in working memory mechanisms and neural information processing within the cerebral cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoheng Gao
- School of Mathematics and Physics, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074 China
| | - Liqing Wu
- School of Mathematics and Physics, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074 China
| | - Xin Zhao
- School of Mathematics and Physics, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074 China
| | - Zhuochao Wei
- School of Mathematics and Physics, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074 China
| | - Lulu Lu
- School of Mathematics and Physics, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074 China
| | - Ming Yi
- School of Mathematics and Physics, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074 China
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Longo V, Barbati SA, Re A, Paciello F, Bolla M, Rinaudo M, Miraglia F, Alù F, Di Donna MG, Vecchio F, Rossini PM, Podda MV, Grassi C. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Enhances Neuroplasticity and Accelerates Motor Recovery in a Stroke Mouse Model. Stroke 2022; 53:1746-1758. [PMID: 35291824 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.121.034200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND More effective strategies are needed to promote poststroke functional recovery. Here, we evaluated the impact of bihemispheric transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on forelimb motor function recovery and the underlying mechanisms in mice subjected to focal ischemia of the motor cortex. METHODS Photothrombotic stroke was induced in the forelimb brain motor area, and tDCS was applied once per day for 3 consecutive days, starting 72 hours after stroke. Grid-walking, single pellet reaching, and grip strength tests were conducted to assess motor function. Local field potentials were recorded to evaluate brain connectivity. Western immunoblotting, ELISA, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Golgi-Cox staining were used to uncover tDCS-mediated stroke recovery mechanisms. RESULTS Among our results, tDCS increased the rate of motor recovery, anticipating it at the early subacute stage. In this window, tDCS enhanced BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) expression and dendritic spine density in the peri-infarct motor cortex, along with increasing functional connectivity between motor and somatosensory cortices. Treatment with the BDNF TrkB (tropomyosin-related tyrosine kinase B) receptor inhibitor, ANA-12, prevented tDCS effects on motor recovery and connectivity as well as the increase of spine density, pERK (phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase), pCaMKII (phosphorylated calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II), pMEF (phosphorylated myocyte-enhancer factor), and PSD (postsynaptic density)-95. The tDCS-promoted rescue was paralleled by enhanced plasma BDNF level, suggesting its potential role as circulating prognostic biomarker. CONCLUSIONS The rate of motor recovery is accelerated by tDCS applied in the subacute phase of stroke. Anticipation of motor recovery via vicariate pathways or neural reserve recruitment would potentially enhance the efficacy of standard treatments, such as physical therapy, which is often delayed to a later stage when plastic responses are progressively lower.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Longo
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy (V.L., S.A.B., A.R., F.P., M.B., M.R., M.G.D.D., M.V.P., C.G.)
| | - Saviana Antonella Barbati
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy (V.L., S.A.B., A.R., F.P., M.B., M.R., M.G.D.D., M.V.P., C.G.)
| | - Agnese Re
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy (V.L., S.A.B., A.R., F.P., M.B., M.R., M.G.D.D., M.V.P., C.G.)
| | - Fabiola Paciello
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy (V.L., S.A.B., A.R., F.P., M.B., M.R., M.G.D.D., M.V.P., C.G.)
| | - Maria Bolla
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy (V.L., S.A.B., A.R., F.P., M.B., M.R., M.G.D.D., M.V.P., C.G.)
| | - Marco Rinaudo
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy (V.L., S.A.B., A.R., F.P., M.B., M.R., M.G.D.D., M.V.P., C.G.)
| | - Francesca Miraglia
- Brain Connectivity Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Italy (F.M., F.A., F.V., P.M.R.)
| | - Francesca Alù
- Brain Connectivity Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Italy (F.M., F.A., F.V., P.M.R.)
| | - Martina Gaia Di Donna
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy (V.L., S.A.B., A.R., F.P., M.B., M.R., M.G.D.D., M.V.P., C.G.)
| | - Fabrizio Vecchio
- Brain Connectivity Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Italy (F.M., F.A., F.V., P.M.R.).,eCampus University, Novedrate, Como, Italy (F.V.)
| | - Paolo Maria Rossini
- Brain Connectivity Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Italy (F.M., F.A., F.V., P.M.R.)
| | - Maria Vittoria Podda
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy (V.L., S.A.B., A.R., F.P., M.B., M.R., M.G.D.D., M.V.P., C.G.).,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy (M.V.P., C.G.)
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy (V.L., S.A.B., A.R., F.P., M.B., M.R., M.G.D.D., M.V.P., C.G.).,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy (M.V.P., C.G.)
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FNS allows efficient event-driven spiking neural network simulations based on a neuron model supporting spike latency. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12160. [PMID: 34108523 PMCID: PMC8190312 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91513-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural modelling tools are increasingly employed to describe, explain, and predict the human brain's behavior. Among them, spiking neural networks (SNNs) make possible the simulation of neural activity at the level of single neurons, but their use is often threatened by the resources needed in terms of processing capabilities and memory. Emerging applications where a low energy burden is required (e.g. implanted neuroprostheses) motivate the exploration of new strategies able to capture the relevant principles of neuronal dynamics in reduced and efficient models. The recent Leaky Integrate-and-Fire with Latency (LIFL) spiking neuron model shows some realistic neuronal features and efficiency at the same time, a combination of characteristics that may result appealing for SNN-based brain modelling. In this paper we introduce FNS, the first LIFL-based SNN framework, which combines spiking/synaptic modelling with the event-driven approach, allowing us to define heterogeneous neuron groups and multi-scale connectivity, with delayed connections and plastic synapses. FNS allows multi-thread, precise simulations, integrating a novel parallelization strategy and a mechanism of periodic dumping. We evaluate the performance of FNS in terms of simulation time and used memory, and compare it with those obtained with neuronal models having a similar neurocomputational profile, implemented in NEST, showing that FNS performs better in both scenarios. FNS can be advantageously used to explore the interaction within and between populations of spiking neurons, even for long time-scales and with a limited hardware configuration.
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