A novel astrocyte-mediated self-repairing CPG neural network

The self-repairing capability of the rhythmic behaviors generated in central pattern generators (CPGs) play significant roles in implementing their functions such as locomotion control in real physiological environment. Although current CPG models have been established to mimic rhythmic outputs, the key question of what coordinates the self-repairing capabilities of CPG system is largely unknown. Recently significant roles of astrocytes in self-repair of human brain have been reported. In this paper, a novel astrocyte-mediated CPG model is proposed to discuss the self-repairing characteristics of rhythmic output in the presence of the "faulty" synapses. Experimental results showed that astrocyte-mediated indirect feedback signaling pathway endows the ability endows the ability to transmit signals from postsynaptic to presynaptic terminals by modulating synaptic transmission probability (PR), which plays the key roles in self-repair of its abnormal rhythm. This research provides an insight into one of the possible self-repair mechanisms of brain rhythms which can be utilized to develop autonomously self-repair brain-inspired systems.