The Tight Coupling and Non-Linear Relationship between the Macroscopic Electrical and Optical Concomitants of Electrochemical CNS Waves Reflect the Non-Linear Dynamics of Neural Glial Propagation

Vera Maura Fernandes De Lima,José Roberto Castilho Piqueira,Wolfgang Hanke

doi:10.4236/ojbiphy.2015.51001

Vera Maura Fernandes De Lima, José Roberto Castilho Piqueira + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4236/ojbiphy.2015.51001

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Abstract

In isolated chick retina, the visualization of electrochemical self-organized patterns is possible due to the presence of macroscopic intrinsic optical signals (IOSs). Isolated circular waves, standing patterns, and self-sustained sequences of spirals are all easily obtained using an IOS approach. In this paper we present the tight coupling and non-linear relationship between optical and electrical wave concomitants, and potassium-induced whole tissue excitability changes. Elementary statistical methods and time series analyses were applied to two sets of data: 1) solitary circular retinal spreading depression waves, and 2) tissue response to exogenous potassium fast pulses. The results were interpreted from the point of view of non-linear thermodynamical concepts and volume phase transitions in polyanionic gels according to the Tasaki action potential model. From these and previous results, it is clear that the glial network and extracellular matrix contribute to the propagation and emergence of these patterns.

Highlights

Solitary, circular retinal spreading depression (RSD) waves are concurrently: 1) an example of a two-dimensional excitation wave propagating in excitable media [1]; 2) a self-organized two-dimensional electrochemical pattern [2]; and 3) a model for functional syndromes of the central nervous system (CNS) [3]-[5]
The results presented here are interpreted from this point of view for two sets of data: from 44 circular solitary spreading depression waves from 34 retinas, and seven fast high-concentration exogenous KCl pulses recorded in five retinas
RSD waves are characterized by their circular shape and smooth continuous invasion of quiescent tissue, which separates them from other forms of propagating excitation such as the excitotoxic response [21]

Summary

Introduction

Circular retinal spreading depression (RSD) waves are concurrently: 1) an example of a two-dimensional excitation wave propagating in excitable media [1]; 2) a self-organized two-dimensional electrochemical pattern [2]; and 3) a model for functional syndromes of the central nervous system (CNS) [3]-[5]. Results from the RSD experimental model can have an interdisciplinary appeal for a range of researchers, from theorists to physicians to medical image processing physicists. In this paper we show that field potentials and intrinsic optical signals (IOS) recorded at inner retina (inner plexiform layer and vitreal border, respectively) are tightly coupled wave concomitants. Did not reveal any linear causality between them. IOS and field potential time derivative peaks coincided in time in 44 waves of RSD recorded from 34 retinas

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