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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.06.10.731347

An astro-neural-field model with application to cortical spreading depolarization

Baspinar, E.·Avitabile, D.·Nouveau, C.·Desroches, M.·Campillo, F.·Mantegazza, M.
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Abstract

We present a novel astro-neural-field population model with application to migraine-related cortical spreading depolarization. The model is composed of four spatio-temporal state variables: excitatory and inhibitory membrane potentials, astrocytic potassium uptake recruitment, and extracellular potassium concentration. Extending a previous neural field model, we incorporate activity-dependent astrocytic potassium clearance via a nonlinear term coupled to astrocyte dynamics. The astrocyte transfer function, like its neural counterpart, exhibits three regimes governed by extracellular potassium, capturing its effect on clearance. This yields a more comprehensive framework, better fits experimental data, and provides new insights into the mechanisms of cortical spreading depolarization.

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Baspinar, E., Avitabile, D., Nouveau, C., Desroches, M., Campillo, F., Mantegazza, M.. 2026-06-12. An astro-neural-field model with application to cortical spreading depolarization. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.06.10.731347

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