Positive Feedback and Synchronized Bursts in Neuronal Cultures

TL;DR

This study explores the properties and origins of synchronized bursts in neuronal cultures, linking their structures to developmental stages and modeling their dynamics through synaptic plasticity and network feedback mechanisms.

Contribution

It introduces a novel model combining synaptic plasticity, recurrent connections, and astrocytic recycling to explain SB structures in neuronal cultures.

Findings

SB structures relate to developmental stages

Networks with SBs are in an oscillatory state

SB structures result from intrinsic synaptic interactions

Abstract

Synchronized bursts (SBs) with complex structures are common in neuronal cultures. Although the origin of SBs is still unclear, they have been studied for their information processing capabilities. Here, we investigate the properties of these SBs in a culture on multi-electrode array system. We find that structures of these SBs are related to the different developmental stages of the cultures. A model based on short term synaptic plasticity, recurrent connections and astrocytic recycling of neurotransmitters has been developed successfully to understand these structures. A phase diagram obtained from this model shows that networks exhibiting SBs are in an oscillatory state due to large enough positive feedback provided by synaptic facilitation and recurrent connections. In this model, the structures of the SBs are the results of intrinsic synaptic interactions; not information stored in the network.