Collective Dynamics of Astrocytes

Astrocytes are the most abundant cell type in the brain. While they are not capable of rapid depolarization, they exhibit dynamics in their calcium levels and regulate the information flow in the brain by coupling to each other via calcium oscillations and to neurons via the Tri-Partite synapse. Here we analyze the collective calcium dynamics of astrocytes in three distinct states: (1) stellate, (2) polygonal, and (3) reactive that correspond to immature, mature, and injured astrocytes, respectively. We analyze various metrics of collective network activity of astrocytes, and assess how collective behavior adapts to differing morphologies and changing chemical environments.