Simulating Cognitive Deficits In Parkinson'S Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is caused by the accelerated death of dopamine-producing neurons. Numerous studies documenting cognitive deficits of people with PD have revealed impairment in a variety of tasks related to memory, learning, visuospatial skills, and attention. In this chapter, we describe a general approach used to model PD and review three computational models that have been used to simulate cognitive deficits related to PD. The models presentation is followed by a discussion of the role of glia cells and astrocytes in neurodegenerative diseases. We propose that more biologically-realistic computational models of neurodegenerative diseases that include astrocytes may lead to a better understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases in general and PD in particular.