The CoDEC project is focused on studying spontaneous brain activity across development in the mouse neocortex, and its role in the establishment of the brain function. For this purpose, we used a new large-scale neural interface device called NeuroGrid. The great advantages of this device are its spatial-temporal resolution, large-scale recording and non-invasiveness. With the aim to localize our neurophysiological signal with greater accuracy, we developed a new histological procedure using chitosan, a biocompatible inexpressive organic polymer that is increasingly being used in neural tissue applications. Its intrinsic fluorescence played a key role in the development of the technology necessary for this experimental approach, allowing the orientation and correct placement of the recording electrodes and interpretation of the results. (Rahaula et al. 2019).
Regarding our objective of gaining insight into the operations of these cognitive neuronal networks by examining intra- and inter-cortical communication across development, (Dominguez et al. 2021) where we investigated the progression of large-scale synaptic and cellular activity patterns across development using high spatiotemporal resolution in vivo electrophysiology in immature mice. We revealed that mature cortical processes emerge rapidly and simultaneously after a discrete but volatile transition period at the beginning of the second postnatal week of rodent development. The transition was characterized by relative neural quiescence, after which activity occurred that was spatially distributed, temporally precise, and internally organized. We demonstrated a similar developmental trajectory in humans, suggesting an evolutionarily conserved mechanism to transition network operation. We hypothesize that this transient quiescent period is a requisite for the subsequent emergence of coordinated cortical networks.
Additionally, we have collaborated with other groups from the Institute for Genomic Medicine (IGM) Columbia University Medical Center, New York, US., This study explored the gain of function by potassium channels versus the traditional concept as a loss-of-function, shedding light on a therapeutic intervention (Shore et al. 2020)
In the second phase of my Marie Curie fellowship (06/2020-05/2021) at Johannes Gutenberg Unimedizin Mainz (Germany), we are working on a multidisciplinary experimental approach in order to obtain a unique neural dataset that is specifically geared toward important questions about development of intra- and inter-cortical communication, while simultaneously aiming to determine the three-dimensional neocortical communication. This combination permits the study of early postnatal development and the consequences of its impairment in neuropediatric disorders.
