Simulation of hippocampal neural networks under bicuculline, with noise and synaptic delays

Abstract : When bicuculline an antagonist of inhibitory connections is introduced in the nutritive solution of an in vivo preparation containing neural networks, a synchronous activity of the neural network is observed. Observation of this activity with micro electrodes arrays presents signals containing periodic bursts of activity. The aim of this study is to obtain the same behavior with simulations. Models of excitatory neural networks coupled to models of measures with micro electrode are tested and the parameters are adjusted. It is shown that the level of noise on synaptic transmission triggers a periodic bursting activity of the neural network like the one observed in experimental conditions. Introduction of delays and durations for the synaptic transmission, and adjustments of the parameters enable to obtain different patterns of bursting.