Larger Connection Radius Increases Hub Astrocyte Number in a 3-D Neuron–Astrocyte Network Model

Astrocytes - a prominent glial cell type in the brain form networks that tightly interact with brain's neuronal circuits. Thus, it is essential to study modes of such interaction if we aim understand how neural circuits process information. Thereby, calcium elevations, primary signal astrocytes, propagate adjacent neighboring cells and directly regulate communication. It mostly unknown astrocyte network topology influences activity. Here, used computational model simulate planar 3D neuron-astrocyte varying topologies. We investigated number active nodes, shortest path, mean degree. Furthermore, applied graph coloring analysis highlights organization between different structures. With increase maximum distance two connected information flow more centralized most cells. Our results suggest activity-dependent plasticity areas might alter amount controlled synapses.