From immaturity to complexity: in vitro generation of embryonic stem cell-derived functional neuronal networks assessed by micro-electrode arrays

Biological neuronal networks can be described as populations of synaptically interconnected neurons capable of generating electrophysiological activity that spreads spatially and temporally. Thus, neuronal networks represent the basic principle for brain activity. The possibility to generate functional neuronal networks in vitro, starting from embryonic stem cells that represent highly immature and pluripotent cells, would open up new ways to manipulate and observe complex neuronal activity. Although embryonic stem (ES) cells can be guided in vitro towards a mature electrophysiologically active neuronal stage ch…