Mathematical Modeling of Neuroglial Communication: Developing a Functional Computer Based Simulation of Intercellular and Extracellular Communication Within Glia Using Mathematical Techniques

Mathematical modelling is being used in many areas of the biological sciences to gain a deeper understanding of the complex mechanisms governing the natural world. No field has more to gain from this type of analysis than the most complex object known, the brain. Glia cells coordinate chemical signalling within the brain. There is great variation in how this is performed, with intercellular communication via gap junctions and extracellular communication via diffusion participating to different degrees within different types of glial cells. Using this as a base, this book draws together existing experimental data and theoretical concepts and develops a new mathematical model that incorporates many aspects of this cellular behaviour. The development of the model is tracked as it is contrasted with other models and applied to a real life scenario. The implementation of the equations into a program is considered and simulation results displayed. The application of the model to real problems is emphasized, though there is consideration of more advanced theoretical concepts for the interested reader.