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Learning populations with hubs govern the initiation and propagation of spontaneous bursts in neuronal networks after learning

Authors :
Xiaoli Jia
Wenwei Shao
Nan Hu
Jianxin Shi
Xiu Fan
Chong Chen
Youwei Wang
Liqun Chen
Huanhuan Qiao
Xiaohong Li
Source :
Frontiers in Neuroscience, Vol 16 (2022)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
Frontiers Media S.A., 2022.

Abstract

Spontaneous bursts in neuronal networks with propagation involving a large number of synchronously firing neurons are considered to be a crucial feature of these networks both in vivo and in vitro. Recently, learning has been shown to improve the association and synchronization of spontaneous events in neuronal networks by promoting the firing of spontaneous bursts. However, little is known about the relationship between the learning phase and spontaneous bursts. By combining high-resolution measurement with a 4,096-channel complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) microelectrode array (MEA) and graph theory, we studied how the learning phase influenced the initiation of spontaneous bursts in cultured networks of rat cortical neurons in vitro. We found that a small number of selected populations carried most of the stimulus information and contributed to learning. Moreover, several new burst propagation patterns appeared in spontaneous firing after learning. Importantly, these “learning populations” had more hubs in the functional network that governed the initiation of spontaneous burst activity. These results suggest that changes in the functional structure of learning populations may be the key mechanism underlying increased bursts after learning. Our findings could increase understanding of the important role that synaptic plasticity plays in the regulation of spontaneous activity.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1662453X
Volume :
16
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Frontiers in Neuroscience
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.93330d3688284572a203bbfc61d7e6ed
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2022.854199