An integral model of spreading depression: From neuron channels to field potentials

Abstract

Spreading depression is an inactivating wave of massive cell depolarization that moves slowly through the brain associated to large negative DC potentials. Its biophysical nature is unclear. Based on our recent finding that longitudinal depolarizing gradients arise on individual neurons affected by SD, we have initiated the construction of an integral model to reproduce large macroscopic potentials in the extracellular space from channel activity on individual neurons. The model includes a simulation of the extracellular space and features Vο feedback to calculate transmembrane currents and potentials. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.