Altered synaptic signaling due to $$\beta $$-amyloid interference in astrocytes: A modeling study

Astrocytes are active participants in brain physiology and a known target of pathological processes of several diseases. Using a mathematical model of a tripartite synapse, we investigated the effects of astrocyte intracellular \(\beta \)-amyloid 1-42 fragments on astrocyte Ca2+ signaling and synaptic signal transmission. Our results show that with this model, \(\beta \)-amyloid interference of astrocyte Ca2+ signaling can considerably alter signal transmission at the synapse, and even silence postsynaptic firing. We conclude that when disturbing astrocyte Ca2+ signaling, \(\beta \)-amyloid fragments can potentially contribute to changes in synaptic signaling.