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Published on: August 7, 2019
Central nervous tissue: an excitable medium. a study using the retinal spreading depression as a tool
Wolfgang Hanke1, Vera Maura Fernandes de Lima
1University of Hohenheim, Institute of Physiology-230, Stuttgart 70599, Germany. hanke@uni-hohenheim.de
Summary
The human brain and central nervous system (CNS) exhibit self-organization and waves, controllable by external forces. Researchers studied retinal spreading depression (SD) to understand CNS excitability control.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Neuronal tissue, including the human brain, is an excitable medium.
- This excitability enables self-organization, pattern formation, and propagating waves.
- These systems are susceptible to control by weak external forces.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate retinal spreading depression (SD), a wave of excitation-depression.
- Explore the control of retinal SD by physical parameters like gravity and temperature.
- Utilize retinal SD as a model to understand the pharmacological control of central nervous system (CNS) excitability.
Main Methods:
- Observation of retinal SD using naked eye and video imaging techniques due to its significant optical signal.
- Experimental manipulation of physical parameters (gravity, temperature) to assess their effect on retinal SD.
- Application of pharmacological tools to investigate the control of CNS excitability via retinal SD.
Main Results:
- Retinal spreading depression (SD) was easily observed and studied.
- Physical parameters like gravity and temperature were found to influence retinal SD.
- The study provided insights into the pharmacological control of CNS tissue excitability.
Conclusions:
- Retinal spreading depression (SD) serves as a valuable experimental model for studying CNS excitability.
- External physical factors can modulate SD, suggesting potential therapeutic targets.
- Pharmacological modulation of CNS excitability is feasible and relevant for medical conditions like migraine.
