Emergence of critical dynamics in large-scale in vitro cortical networks

In vitro neuronal networks coupled to MicroElectrode Arrays (MEAs) represent a valid experimental framework to study neuronal dynamics. This preparation is free of chemical or physical constraints and allows neurons to self-organize during development, creating networks that exhibit complex spatio-temporal patterns of activity. Starting from this experimental evidence, here we address the question whether a particular network architecture can drive the network dynamics towards a sub-, super-, or critical state.