Kurzfassung

Programmed cell death (apoptosis) is an important process, which in the developmental neocortex is controlled by spontaneous synchronized network activity. Using multi-electrode arrays and imaging techniques we register the activity level and pattern of single neurons. By the use of optogenetic and viral techniques we control the intrinsic cellular and synaptic network activity and study their influence on the neurons survival. Dissociated cell cultures with different ratios of inhibitory...Programmed cell death (apoptosis) is an important process, which in the developmental neocortex is controlled by spontaneous synchronized network activity. Using multi-electrode arrays and imaging techniques we register the activity level and pattern of single neurons. By the use of optogenetic and viral techniques we control the intrinsic cellular and synaptic network activity and study their influence on the neuron´s survival. Dissociated cell cultures with different ratios of inhibitory versus excitatory neurons allow us to investigate homeostatic mechanisms maintaining physiological activity patterns and apoptosis rates under these conditions.
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