Integration of Immature Neurons Maintain Unidirectional Connectivity of Pre-Existed Network In Vitro

Recovery of the neural networks after brain injury can be studied in vitro using cell patterning technologies such as microfluidics. In this study, neural tissue recovery of cortical networks was modeled in a three-chamber microfluidic chip by growing two weakly coupled neuronal networks and by plating new immature cells between it. The direction of synaptic connections was formed by the asymmetric design of the microchannels in the chip. We investigated dynamics of morphological characteristics of neurites growth through the microchannels and spiking activity propagation between the networks after integration of new cortical cells. The results can be used for the development of new approaches for brain functional recovery after injury.