Limits and dynamics of randomly connected neuronal networks

Networks of the brain are composed of a very large number of neurons connected through a random graph and interacting after random delays that both depend on the anatomical distance between cells. In order to comprehend the role of these random architectures on the dynamics of such networks, we analyze the mesoscopic and macroscopic limits of networks with random correlated connectivity weights and delays. We address both averaged and quenched limits, and show propagation of chaos and convergence to a complex integral McKean-Vlasov equations with distributed delays. We then instantiate a completely solvable model illustrating the role of such random architectures in the emerging macroscopic activity. We particularly focus on the role of connectivity levels in the emergence of periodic solutions

Modélisation mathématique en neuroscience : comportement collectif des réseaux neuronaux & rôle de la diffusion locale des homéoprotéines dans la morphogenèse

This work is devoted to the study of mathematical questions arising from the modeling of biological systems combining analytic and probabilistic tools. In the first part, we are interested in the derivation of the mean-field equations related to some neuronal networks, and in the study of the convergence to the equilibria of the solutions to the limit equations. In Chapter 2, we use the coupling method to prove the chaos propagation for a neuronal network with delays and random architecture. In Chapter 3, we consider a kinetic FitzHugh-Nagumo equation. We analyze the existence of solutions and prove the nonlinear exponential convergence in the weak connectivity regime. In the second part, we study the role of homeoproteins (HPs) on the robustness of boundaries of functional areas. In Chapter 4, we propose a general model for neuronal development. We prove that in the absence of diffusion, the HPs are expressed on irregular areas. But in presence of diffusion, even arbitrarily small, well defined boundaries emerge. In Chapter 5, we consider the general model in the one dimensional case and prove the existence of monotonic stationary solutions defining a unique intersection point for any arbitrarily small diffusion coefficient. Finally, in the third part, we study a subcritical Keller-Segel equation. We show the chaos propagation without any restriction on the force kernel. Eventually, we demonstrate that the propagation of chaos holds in the entropic sense.Ce travail est consacré à l’étude de quelques questions issues de la modélisation des systèmes biologiques en combinant des outils analytiques et probabilistes. Dans la première partie, nous nous intéressons à la dérivation des équations de champ moyen associées aux réseaux de neurones, ainsi qu’à l’étude de la convergence vers l’équilibre des solutions. Dans le Chapitre 2, nous utilisons la méthode de couplage pour démontrer la propagation du chaos pour un réseau neuronal avec délais et avec une architecture aléatoire. Dans le Chapitre 3, nous considérons une équation cinétique du type FitzHugh-Nagumo. Nous analysons l'existence de solutions et prouvons la convergence exponentielle dans les régimes de faible connectivité. Dans la deuxième partie, nous étudions le rôle des homéoprotéines (HPs) sur la robustesse des bords des aires fonctionnelles. Dans le Chapitre 4, nous proposons un modèle général du développement neuronal. Nous prouvons qu'en l'absence de diffusion, les HPs sont exprimées dans des régions irrégulières. Mais en présence de diffusion, même arbitrairement faible, des frontières bien définies émergent. Dans le Chapitre 5, nous considérons le modèle général dans le cas unidimensionnel et prouvons l'existence de solutions stationnaires monotones définissant un point d'intersection unique aussi faible que soit le coefficient de diffusion. Enfin, dans la troisième partie, nous étudions une équation de Keller-Segel sous-critique. Nous démontrons la propagation du chaos sans aucune restriction sur le noyau de force. En outre, nous démontrons que la propagation du chaos a lieu dans le sens de l’entropie

Rivaroxaban with or without aspirin in stable cardiovascular disease

BACKGROUND: We evaluated whether rivaroxaban alone or in combination with aspirin would be more effective than aspirin alone for secondary cardiovascular prevention. METHODS: In this double-blind trial, we randomly assigned 27,395 participants with stable atherosclerotic vascular disease to receive rivaroxaban (2.5 mg twice daily) plus aspirin (100 mg once daily), rivaroxaban (5 mg twice daily), or aspirin (100 mg once daily). The primary outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death, stroke, or myocardial infarction. The study was stopped for superiority of the rivaroxaban-plus-aspirin group after a mean follow-up of 23 months. RESULTS: The primary outcome occurred in fewer patients in the rivaroxaban-plus-aspirin group than in the aspirin-alone group (379 patients [4.1%] vs. 496 patients [5.4%]; hazard ratio, 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66 to 0.86; P<0.001; z=−4.126), but major bleeding events occurred in more patients in the rivaroxaban-plus-aspirin group (288 patients [3.1%] vs. 170 patients [1.9%]; hazard ratio, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.40 to 2.05; P<0.001). There was no significant difference in intracranial or fatal bleeding between these two groups. There were 313 deaths (3.4%) in the rivaroxaban-plus-aspirin group as compared with 378 (4.1%) in the aspirin-alone group (hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.71 to 0.96; P=0.01; threshold P value for significance, 0.0025). The primary outcome did not occur in significantly fewer patients in the rivaroxaban-alone group than in the aspirin-alone group, but major bleeding events occurred in more patients in the rivaroxaban-alone group. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with stable atherosclerotic vascular disease, those assigned to rivaroxaban (2.5 mg twice daily) plus aspirin had better cardiovascular outcomes and more major bleeding events than those assigned to aspirin alone. Rivaroxaban (5 mg twice daily) alone did not result in better cardiovascular outcomes than aspirin alone and resulted in more major bleeding events