Computational predictive modeling of integrated cerebral metabolism, electrophysiology and hemodynamics

Resumen

Understanding the energetic requirement of brain cells during resting state and during high neural activity is a very active research area where mathematical models have contributed significantly by providing a context for the interpretation of the experimental results. In this thesis, we present three new computational predictive mathematical models to elucidate several dynamics in the brain, comprising electrophysiological activity, cellular metabolism and hemodynamic response. Many computational challenges had to be addressed, mostly due to the very different characteristic times at which the electrical, metabolic and hemodynamic events occur.The first part of the thesis proposes a novel predictive mathematical electro-metabolic model connecting the electrophysiological activity and the metabolism through a double feedback mechanism based on energy demand and production. This model sheds light on the role of the glial potassium cleaning in brain energy metabolism by integrating a four compartment metabolic model with one describing in details the electrical activity. The results of computed experiments performed with this model for different protocols, namely awake resting state, transitions between resting state and neural activation and ischemic episodes are in agreement with experimental observations. In the second part of the thesis, the electro-metabolic model is expanded to comprise the brain hemodynamic response. This is attained through a triple feedback mechanism between the electrophysiology, metabolism and a three compartment hemodynamic model tracking the changes of cerebral blood flow and cerebral blood volume through arteries, capillaries and veins. During neuronal activation, the increase in extracellular potassium concentration triggers an increase in the cerebral blood flow and concurrently vasodilation, ensuring the supply of nutrients necessary for the metabolic response to sustain the increased energy demand. The ensuing hemo-electro-metabolic model provides a better insight on the transitions between resting state and neural activation. In the third and last part of the thesis, we propose a variant of the electro-metabolic model that adequately describes the changes in the brain in connection with cortical spreading depression (CSD) waves. In addition the dynamics of sodium and potassium, the new model accounts for chloride dynamics, the glutamate-glutamine cycle, as well as neuronal swelling accompanied by shrinkage of extracellular space. As illustrated with computed experiments, with this model it is possible to follow simultaneously the changes in ionic homeostasis, the alterations in the volumes of the cellular compartments and of the extracellular space, and large modifications in brain metabolism during cortical spreading depression waves. The model predictions, in agreement with findings reported in the experimental literature, show a large decrease in glucose and oxygen concentration and a significant increase in lactate concentration during the passing of cortical spreading depression waves.