Functional connectivity analysis of clustered neuronal cultures

Abstract

The brain is an extremely complex structure and neuroscience is just a relatively new-born field. In this work we take a look on the process of how rat cortical neurons in vitro shape neuronal assemblies (clusters) with rich activity patterns. We use fluorescence imaging, trace each cluster individually and extract the exact timing of their neuronal bursts. We monitor cultures from their formation to their death, and use a genetically encoded calcium indicator (GECI) to monitor the same culture along different days. Using tools from network theory, for each day in vitro and culture we characterize their activity, connectivity traits and effciency. We finally investigate possible correlations between these network properties and the maturation of the cultures