The role of glutamatercic and GABAergic synapses on the dynamics of neural networks: How they impact the transition to seizure?

The balance between inhibition and excitation is at the basis of the maintenance of stable and normal brain electrical activity. Experimental results revealed that inhibitory synapses can become depolarizing as the intracellular concentration of Cl-1 of the postsynaptic cells increases. In this work the dynamical behaviour of a network of pyramidal cells coupled to inhibitory fast-spiking interneurons was studied by simulations. In particular, in agreement to the experimental data, it was found that the biophysical properties of the inhibitory/excitatory synapses strongly impact the network dynamics and the transition to seizure.