NeuVision: a New Simulation Environment to Model Large-Scale Neuronal Networks Coupled to Micro- Electrode Arrays

NEUVISION is a novel simulation environment tailored to simulate the dynamics of large-scale neuronal networks coupled to Micro-Electrode Arrays (MEAs). Such simulator has been developed by using programming languages supported by the .NET framework and allows the user to implement networks of neurons made up of thousands of synaptically connected elements. The main features of this simulator are related to the efficient visualization of the neural activity, as well as the possibility to define different connectivity rules and electrical stimulation protocols. Finally, also the integration of statistical analysis tools for fast neural dynamics characterization was implemented. In this work we present some preliminary validation results obtained simulating large-scale neuronal networks made up of 1024 neurons. In particular we show analyses of both spontaneous and stimulusevoked activities. 1 Background Micro-Electrode Arrays (MEAs) are a widespread and recognized technology to study the electrophysiological activity of neural cultures. [1] However, the number of available recording electrodes is still much smaller than the number of neurons for large-scale networks. This spatial undersampling results in a lack of information. The development of a new simulation environment able to reproduce the electrophysiological behavior typically found in these preparations offers a valid support for a better understanding of the actual dynamics. In this work, we present the main features of our software showing simulation results of both spontaneous and stimulus-evoked activity of a high-connected network.