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A mathematical model suggests collectivity and inconstancy enhance the efficiency of neuronal migration in the adult brain

Fig 2

Schematic of the mathematical model.

(a) Structure and saltation cycle of a single neuroblast. (b) Structure of a single astrocyte composed of three “astrocytic units,” each of which shrinks depending on the number of neuroblasts within the distance indicated by the orange shade (B_i,j, value shown at the center). (c) Repulsion and adhesion forces between two circles (soma, tip, or astrocytic unit) in contact. (d) Repulsion force between a circle (soma, tip, or astrocytic unit) and a neuroblast’s process in contact. The arrow length represents the strength of the repulsive force. The left and right cases show the different force distributions to the soma and tip depending on the contact point ; the definition is detailed in S1 Appendix (Sect IIa).

doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1013105.g002