Recording, analysis and control of periodic synchronized activity in cultured neural networks

Periodic synchronized bursts of action potentials in cultured neural networks of rat cortical neurons were recorded simultaneously at up to 16 sites using planar electrode arrays. The source of each burst was estimated from the relative delay of onset of activity between electrodes. The effects on network activity of electrical stimulation and of laser sectioning were also investigated. The results demonstrate that neural networks cultured on electrode arrays are a good experimental system for studying neural interactions in networks and that network activity is related to efficiency of synaptic transmission between neurons.