Effect of BDNF secretion by astrocyte on learning and memory: A modeling approach

Astrocytes have been recently implicated in modulation of neuronal synapses leading to Long Term Potentiation, the cellular basis of learning. Astrocytes also secrete neurotrophins such as BDNF, which regulate synaptogenesis, lead to the formation of new network connections between neurons and alter synaptic plasticity underlying learning and memory. In this study, we modeled effects of BDNF secretion on the formation of new connections in hippocampus neural network. A biophysical neural network model consisting of two pyramidal neurons, two interneurons, and the astrocytes were studied. The corresponding dynamical properties were investigated by using numerical simulations. The proposed model was capable to show the function of secretion BDNF by astrocyte. Finally we showed that astrocytes by changing the structure of neural network through BDNF secretion via creation of new connections and increasing synaptic junctions elicited generation of different patterns in the output of neural network. These new output patterns were considered as results of effect of astrocyte on learning caused by BDNF secretion.