Gap junctions and excitation patterns in continuum models of islets

Abstract

We extend the development of homogenized models for excitable tissues coupled through "doughball" gap junctions. The analysis admits nonlinear Fickian fluxes in rather general ways and includes, in particular, calcium-gated conductance. The theory is motivated by an attempt to understand wave propagation and failure observed in the pancreatic islets of Langerhans. We reexamine, numerically, the role that gap junctional strength is generally thought to play in pattern formation in continuum models of islets.