Neuronal Avalanches Imply Maximum Dynamic Range in Cortical Networks at Criticality

Spontaneous neuronal activity is a ubiquitous feature of cortex. Its spatiotemporal organization reflects past input and modulates future network output. Here we study whether a particular type of spontaneous activity is generated by a network that is optimized for input processing. Neuronal avalanches are a type of spontaneous activity observed in superficial cortical layers in vitro and in vivo with statistical properties expected from a network operating at "criticality." Theory predicts that criticality and, therefore, neuronal avalanches are optimal for input processing, but until now, this has not been tested in experiments. Here, we use cortex slice cultures grown on planar microelectrode arrays to…

• NS
  National Science Foundation
• UD
  U.S. Department of Defense

  Award: N000140710734
• SN
  Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung

  Award: 110211
• MU
  Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative
• OO
  Office of Naval Research

  Awards: N000140710734, ONR N000140710734
• NI
  National Institute of Mental Health