Figure 1: Effects of astrocytic potassium clearance from extracellular space (ECS). (A) Somatic voltage recorded in an interneuron under working potassium clearance. (B) Somatic voltage when clearance mechanisms are disabled and potassium accumulates in the ECS.

Mentions: We observe that when potassium clearing mechanisms are present (including inwardly rectifying potassium channel as well as phenomenologically represented spatial buffering), neuronal spiking occurs at normal rates (Figure 1A). However when these mechanisms are compromised, potassium accumulation occurs and seizure-like spike trains appear. Preliminary model findings point to both (a) the existence of depolarization block within model parameter searches and (b) the significant influence of glial calcium signaling on spontaneous neuronal discharges.