Circuit Behavior in the Development of Neuronal Networks

摘要

The goal of this research has been to devise methods for accurately recording the activity of neuronal networks. The initial objective was to obtain multi-point recordings from neurons using extracellular electrical signals. For several reasons, this methods is now regarded with some skepticism: (1) Only neurons with very fast rising action potentials have been successfully recorded from because of the high-pass characteristics of extracellular electrodes (2) Only neuronal somata can be recorded from; (3) The primary interactions between neurons are on small neurites which are not routinely accessible by these methods; (4) Stimulation through these electrodes is quite possible, however, the efficacy of stimulation is only known when an alternative recording device is in place. Optical methods have been used with success for monitoring not just the extracellular events of neurons but also the intracellular changes in toxic activity. An extremely reliable method has been also the intracellular changes in ionic activity. An extremely reliable method has been developed, using the dye Fura 2, for analyzing calcium currents, in circuit behavior. This work allows examination of the ensemble activity of specific sets of neurons given precise classes of input in order to assess the integrative qualities of the network and the specific classes of solutions to computational problems. Keywords: Nerve activity. (kt)