title: Simulation of developing human neuronal cell networks.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Microelectrode array (MEA) is a widely used technique to study for example the functional properties of neuronal networks derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC-NN). With hESC-NN, we can investigate the earliest developmental stages of neuronal network formation in the human brain.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this paper, we propose an in silico model of maturating hESC-NNs based on a phenomenological model called INEX. We focus on simulations of the development of bursts in hESC-NNs, which are the main feature of neuronal activation patterns. The model was developed with data from developing hESC-NN recordings on MEAs which showed increase in the neuronal activity during the investigated six measurement time points in the experimental and simulated data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our simulations suggest that the maturation process of hESC-NN, resulting in the formation of bursts, can be explained by the development of synapses. Moreover, spike and burst rate both decreased at the last measurement time point suggesting a pruning of synapses as the weak ones are removed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To conclude, our model reflects the assumption that the interaction between excitatory and inhibitory neurons during the maturation of a neuronal network and the spontaneous emergence of bursts are due to increased connectivity caused by the forming of new synapses.
authors: Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering, Tampere University of Technology, BioMediTech, PL100, Tampere, Finland. kerstin.lenk@tut.fi.
authors: Kerstin
authors: K
authors: Lenk
authors: Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Platz der Deutschen Einheit 1, 03046, Cottbus, Germany.
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Priwitzer
authors: NeuroGroup, Institute of Biomedical Technology, University of Tampere, BioMediTech, PL100, Tampere, Finland.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Ylä-Outinen
authors: Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering, Tampere University of Technology, BioMediTech, PL100, Tampere, Finland.
authors: Lukas H B
authors: LH
authors: Tietz
authors: NeuroGroup, Institute of Biomedical Technology, University of Tampere, BioMediTech, PL100, Tampere, Finland.
authors: Susanna
authors: S
authors: Narkilahti
authors: Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering, Tampere University of Technology, BioMediTech, PL100, Tampere, Finland.
authors: Jari A K
authors: JA
authors: Hyttinen
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development; D002460:Cell Line; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D008839:Microelectrodes; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology; D013569:Synapses
keywords: Development; Human embryonic stem cells; Microelectrode array; Neuronal networks; Simulation