Department of Precision Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Department of Human and Engineered Environmental Studies, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan.
Nat Commun. 2024 Nov 11;15(1):9547. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-53505-w.
The synchronous activity of neuronal networks is considered crucial for brain function. However, the interaction between single-neuron activity and network-wide activity remains poorly understood. This study explored this interaction within cultured networks of rat cortical neurons. Employing a combination of high-density microelectrode array recording and optogenetic stimulation, we established an experimental setup enabling simultaneous recording and stimulation at a precise single-neuron level that can be scaled to the level of the whole network. Leveraging our system, we identified a network burst-dependent response change in single neurons, providing a possible mechanism for the network-burst-dependent loss of information within the network and consequent cognitive impairment during epileptic seizures. Additionally, we directly recorded a leader neuron initiating a spontaneous network burst and characterized its firing properties, indicating that the bursting activity of hub neurons in the brain can initiate network-wide activity. Our study offers valuable insights into brain networks characterized by a combination of bottom-up self-organization and top-down regulation.
神经元网络的同步活动被认为对大脑功能至关重要。然而，单个神经元活动和全网活动之间的相互作用仍知之甚少。本研究在培养的大鼠皮质神经元网络中探讨了这种相互作用。本研究采用高密度微电极阵列记录和光遗传学刺激相结合的方法，建立了一种实验装置，能够在精确的单个神经元水平上进行同时记录和刺激，并且可以扩展到整个网络的水平。利用我们的系统，我们在单个神经元中发现了一种与网络爆发相关的反应变化，为网络爆发相关的信息丢失以及随后在癫痫发作期间的认知障碍提供了一种可能的机制。此外，我们还直接记录了一个发起自发性网络爆发的主导神经元，并对其放电特性进行了描述，表明大脑中枢纽神经元的爆发活动可以引发全网活动。我们的研究为具有自下而上的自我组织和自上而下的调节相结合的脑网络提供了有价值的见解。
