Targeted attack on neuronal cultures

Abstract

Here we study the behavior of in vitro neuronal networks whose neurons are sequentially eliminated, mimicking for instance the action of a stroke. Neurons are eliminated either in a random way or by targeting those that are central to network communication (hubs). For random removal, the results show an increase of overall network activity and a maintenance of the cohesion of the network. For targeted attack, two scenarios were considered depending on the definition of hub (node degree or betweenness centrality), in both cases their deletion led to networks to break apart. The results show the importance of central nodes in neuronal networks and could help improving the understanding on the behavior of functional connectivity alterations upon damage