Spontaneous activity

From Neural Wiki

Spontaneous activity is widely seen in cultured neural networks. However, the the exact mechanisms behind such activity is still relatively unknown.

Below, an example of spontaneous network activity is shown using the NEX 1-D viewer. Each line represents a timestamp (the time when a neurons fired). Timestamp resolution is 40 kHz.

[edit] Development

Spontaneous neural activity has been observed during development in a diverse range of neural systems.

[edit] Chicks

Provine (1977) demonstrated neural activity in developing chick spinal cords

[edit] Retinal waves

Retinal waves occur during CNS development and have been observed in many vertebrate species (Wong, 1999). These rhythmic bursts of action potentials appear before the retina is capable of responding to light and are observed in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). This activity propagates in wave-like events across the surface of the retina similarly to the observed spontaneous activity in mature primary cultures (previously dissociated neural networks).

[edit] References

Wong ROL (1999) Retinal waves and visual system development. Annual Rev Neurosci 22:29–47