Biophysically realistic network models

Biophysically realistic network models

Connecting the dots from molecular lesion to network seizure in epilepsy Recent advances in the genetics of epilepsy have lead to the discovery of hundreds of mutations that cause seizure syndromes. Almost without exception these mutations are in ion channels - molecules that reside in the cell membrane and conduct current that is the basis of electrical signaling in the nervous system. In our lab we use a variety of techniques to understand how these molecules are different from those in humans without epilepsy. One of these is to artificially grow these ion channels in special cell lines and measure the differences in their electrical properties compared to ion channels from healthy people. These differences are small and subtle and it is often far from clear how the cause the brain to become prone to seizure. One way to make the casual connection between molecular deficit and changes in brain dynamics is through the use of computer models. Data collected from cell line studies can converted to mathematical models of the ion channel in question. These models can then be incorporated into models of single neurons and used to predict differences in sensitivity of these neurons to interactions from other neurons. Then these the neuron models can be incorporated in network models with thousands of neurons to try to understand what triggers neurons. Understanding why some brains are more liable to seizure than others will enable us to develop not only better treatments for seizure prevention but will help us understand why brains become epileptic in the first place.