Activity synchronization in neural networks developing on planar substrates

Neurons taken from animal embryo and grown on plane substrate with integrated multi-electrode array possess spontaneous bursts of action potentials, which become increasingly synchronous in the course of development. We studied such synchronization phenomena in a network of simulated neurons, which accounted for developmental changes in geometry and membrane properties of biological prototypes. Growing neuritic fields of individual neurons were partitioned into dendritic and axonal sectors of random size and orientation. Synapses were established between the cells with intersecting axonal and dendritic sectors and the synaptic weight was set in proportion to the intersection area. The network was imported into NEURON simulator. The membrane properties and the intracellular calcium dynamics of the cells were set similar to those described for the neocortical pyramidal neurons. Before being connected the cells generated asynchronous bursts. The synchronization developed in the domains of interconnected cells had the patterns apparently linked to the connectivity patterns.