Information Integration in the Brain: Modeling a Putative Function of the Astroglial Network

Astrocytes receive somatic signals carried by blood flow and cerebrospinal fluid, as well as sensory and cognitive information carried by neuronal assemblies. Their position, hub-like structure and intrinsic processing capabilities suggest that they integrate spatially distributed information. Oscillatory synchrony and constructive wave interference have been proposed to constitute mechanisms of neuro-astroglial interaction. We further claim that the astrocytic network appreciates information contents processed by neurons, modulating neuronal activity (and then the behavior) according to valences attributed to them. Here we report our modeling of mental functions of astrocytes and discuss empirical results that could confirm or desconfirm the model.

[1]  G. Buzsáki,et al.  Calcium Dynamics of Cortical Astrocytic Networks In Vivo , 2004, PLoS biology.

[2]  Alfredo Pereira,et al.  Analog Modeling of Human Cognitive Functions with Tripartite Synapses , 2010 .

[3]  H. Berg,et al.  Supporting Online Material Materials and Methods Som Text Figs. S1 to S7 Tables S1 to S3 References Movies S1 to S6 Tuned Responses of Astrocytes and Their Influence on Hemodynamic Signals in the Visual Cortex , 2022 .

[4]  G. Shepherd.  The Neuron Doctrine , 2015 .

[5]  Alfredo Pereira,et al.  Astrocytes and human cognition: Modeling information integration and modulation of neuronal activity , 2010, Progress in Neurobiology.

[6]  Todd A Fiacco,et al.  What Is the Role of Astrocyte Calcium in Neurophysiology? , 2008, Neuron.

[7]  Nanhong Lou,et al.  General anesthesia selectively disrupts astrocyte calcium signaling in the awake mouse cortex , 2012, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

[8]  Pascale Mentré.  Water in the orchestration of the cell machinery. Some misunderstandings: a short review , 2012, Journal of biological physics.

[9]  Leonardo Ferreira Almada,et al.  CONCEPTUAL SPACES AND CONSCIOUSNESS: INTEGRATING COGNITIVE AND AFFECTIVE PROCESSES , 2011 .

[10]  Alvaro Pascual-Leone,et al.  Cognitive, Mood, and Electroencephalographic Effects of Noninvasive Cortical Stimulation With Weak Electrical Currents , 2011, The journal of ECT.

[11]  S. Goldman,et al.  Astrocytic complexity distinguishes the human brain , 2006, Trends in Neurosciences.

[12]  Marcos Arturo Martínez Banaclocha,et al.  Neuromagnetic dialogue between neuronal minicolumns and astroglial network: A new approach for memory and cerebral computation , 2007, Brain Research Bulletin.

[13]  Wei Wang,et al.  Acute Cannabinoids Impair Working Memory through Astroglial CB1 Receptor Modulation of Hippocampal LTD , 2012, Cell.

[14]  Eshel Ben-Jacob,et al.  A Tale of Two Stories: Astrocyte Regulation of Synaptic Depression and Facilitation , 2011, PLoS Comput. Biol..

[15]  Biyu J. He,et al.  The fMRI signal, slow cortical potential and consciousness , 2009, Trends in Cognitive Sciences.

[16]  Marcello Massimini,et al.  Recovery of cortical effective connectivity and recovery of consciousness in vegetative patients , 2012, Brain : a journal of neurology.

[17]  M. Matteoli,et al.  ATP in neuron–glia bidirectional signalling , 2011, Brain Research Reviews.

[18]  M. Murphy,et al.  Targeting Astrocytes Ameliorates Neurologic Changes in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease , 2012, The Journal of Neuroscience.

[19]  Kerri M. Smith.  Neuroscience: Settling the great glia debate , 2010, Nature.

[20]  Rafael Fernandes Barros,et al.  Estratégias de somação temporal e espacial na formação da memória declarativa de curto prazo , 2010 .

[21]  J. Ojemann,et al.  Uniquely Hominid Features of Adult Human Astrocytes , 2009, The Journal of Neuroscience.

[22]  Alfredo Pereira.  Perceptual Information Integration: Hypothetical Role of Astrocytes , 2011, Cognitive Computation.

[23]  Alfredo Pereira,et al.  On the role of synchrony for neuron–astrocyte interactions and perceptual conscious processing , 2009, Journal of biological physics.

[24]  G. Carmignoto,et al.  Astrocyte control of synaptic transmission and neurovascular coupling. , 2006, Physiological reviews.

[25]  Frederico A. C. Azevedo,et al.  How many neurons do you have? Some dogmas of quantitative neuroscience under revision , 2012, The European journal of neuroscience.

[26]  F. Furlan,et al.  Recent Advances in Brain Physiology and Cognitive Processing**** , 2011, Mens sana monographs.

[27]  N. Matsuki,et al.  Large-Scale Calcium Waves Traveling through Astrocytic Networks In Vivo , 2011, The Journal of Neuroscience.

[28]  H. Hirase,et al.  Astrocyte Calcium Signaling Transforms Cholinergic Modulation to Cortical Plasticity In Vivo , 2011, The Journal of Neuroscience.

[29]  Eduardo D. Martín,et al.  Astrocytes Mediate In Vivo Cholinergic-Induced Synaptic Plasticity , 2012, PLoS biology.

[30]  Leonardo Ferreira Almada,et al.  What Affective Neuroscience Means for Science Of Consciousness , 2013, Mens sana monographs.

[31]  E. Marder,et al.  The Neuron Doctrine, Redux , 2005, Science.