Experimental and theoretical study of membrane potentials of neurons in culture provide evidence of some of the mechanisms responsible for excitatory-inhibitory imbalance.Estudio experimental y teórico de potenciales de membrana en cultivos de neuronas "in vitro", para investigar posibles mecanismos responsables de la ruptura entre el balance de inhibición y excitación.Estudi experimental i teòric de potencials de membrana en cultius de neurones "in vitro" per a esbrinar possibles mecanismes per a la ruptura del balanç entre excitació i inhibició.

Using the theoretical papers as a starting point, we will determine if there are conditions where the balance between excitation and inhibition in neural networks may be broken. Then, we will perform whole-cell recordings in the cultured neurons to characterize the magnitude and relative timing of the excitatory and inhibitory inputs to the neurons. Based on the findings, we will then attempt to stimulate the network (using optogentic techniques) to try to reproduce the events leading to bursts. These studies will lead to a better understanding of network processing as w