AUTHOR=Poli Daniele , Pastore Vito P. , Massobrio Paolo TITLE=Functional connectivity in in vitro neuronal assemblies JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neural Circuits VOLUME=9 YEAR=2015 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neural-circuits/articles/10.3389/fncir.2015.00057 DOI=10.3389/fncir.2015.00057 ISSN=1662-5110 ABSTRACT=

Complex network topologies represent the necessary substrate to support complex brain functions. In this work, we reviewed in vitro neuronal networks coupled to Micro-Electrode Arrays (MEAs) as biological substrate. Networks of dissociated neurons developing in vitro and coupled to MEAs, represent a valid experimental model for studying the mechanisms governing the formation, organization and conservation of neuronal cell assemblies. In this review, we present some examples of the use of statistical Cluster Coefficients and Small World indices to infer topological rules underlying the dynamics exhibited by homogeneous and engineered neuronal networks.