Network formation

Electrical activity plays a pivotal role in the assembly of neurons into functional neural networks. Many developmental processes that determine neuronal function and connectivity are modulated by electrical activity. One of these processes is neurite outgrowth. Empirical studies have demonstrated that outgrowth ceases when the electrical activity of a neuron is either too high or too low. Using a model of neurite outgrowth, we have explored the implications of activity-dependent neurite outgrowth for network development and neuronal morphology.

This model of neurite outgrowth is also used to investigate the formation of retinal mosaics (the regular arrangements of retinal cells). Assuming that cell movement is proportional to the degree of dendritic overlap between neighbourig cells, we showed that small cell movements are sufficient to transform random cell distributions into regular mosaics. Some movies of mosaic formation are available.

In the CASPAN Project (Computational Analysis of Spatiotemporal Patterns of Activity in Neuronal Networks) of the NWO Program Computational Life Sciences, we develop, among other things, a model of activity-dependent network formation in which the detailed morphology of axons and dendrites is taken into account.

• An algorithm for finding candidate synaptic sites in computer generated networks of neurons with realistic morphologies
  Van Pelt, J., Carnell, A., De Ridder, S., Mansvelder, H. D., and Van Ooyen, A. (2010). Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience doi: 10.3389/fncom.2010.00148.
  [Abstract] [Full text: PDF]

• A simple rule for axon outgrowth and synaptic competition generates realistic connection lengths and filling fractions
  Kaiser, M., Hilgetag, C. C., and Van Ooyen, A. (2009). Cerebral Cortex 19: 3001-3010.
  [Abstract] [Full text: PDF] [Supplementary data: PDF]

• Activity-dependent structural plasticity
  Butz, M., Worgotter, F., and Van Ooyen, A. (2009). Brain Research Reviews 60: 287-305.
  [Abstract] [Full text: PDF]

• A model for cortical rewiring following deafferentation and focal stroke
  Butz, M., Van Ooyen, A., and Worgotter (2009). Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience doi: 10.3389/neuro.10.010.2009.
  [Abstract] [Full text: PDF]

• NETMORPH: A framework for the stochastic generation of large scale neuronal networks with realistic neuron morphologies
  Koene, R. A., Tijms, B., Van Hees, P., Postma, F., De Ridder, A., Ramakers, G. J. A, Van Pelt, J., and Van Ooyen, A. (2009). Neuroinformatics 7: 195-210.
  [Abstract] [Full text: PDF]

• Inverse relationship between adult hippocampal cell proliferation and synaptic rewiring in the dentate gyrus
  Butz, M., Teuchert-Noodt, G., Grafen, K., and Van Ooyen, A. (2008). Hippocampus 18: 879-898.
  [Abstract] [Full text: PDF]

• Homeostasis at multiple spatial and temporal scales
  Houweling, A. R., and Van Ooyen, A. (2008). In: Suire, L., ed. New Encyclopedia of Neuroscience, in press
  [Abstract]

• Activity-dependent neurite outgrowth: implications for network development and neuronal morphology
  Van Ooyen, A., Van Pelt, J., Corner, M. A., and Kater, S. B. (2003). In: Van Ooyen, A., ed. Modeling Neural Development. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, pp. 111-132.
  [Abstract]

• The role of calcium signaling in early axonal and dendritic morphogenesis of rat cerebral cortex neurons under non-stimulated growth conditions
  Ramakers, G. J. A., Avci, B., Van Hulten, P., Van Ooyen, A., Van Pelt, J., Pool, C. W., and Lequin, M. B. (2001). Dev. Brain Res. 126: 163-172.
  [Abstract]

• Lateral cell movement driven by dendritic interactions is sufficient to form retinal mosaics
  Eglen, S. J., Van Ooyen, A., and Willshaw, D. J. (2000). Network: Computation in Neural Systems 11: 103-118.
  [Abstract] [Full text: PDF] [Full text: PostScript]

• Effects of inhibition on neural network development through activity-dependent neurite outgrowth
  Van Oss, C., and Van Ooyen, A. (1997). J. Theor. Biol. 185: 263-280.
  [Abstract] [Full text: PDF] [Full text: gzipped PostScript] [Fig2: gzipped PostScript] [Fig10: gzipped PostScript] (What is gzipped PostScript?)

• Network connectivity changes through activity-dependent neurite outgrowth
  Van Ooyen, A., Pakdaman, K., Houweling, A. R., Van Pelt, J., and Vibert, J.-F. (1996). Neural Processing Letters 3: 123-130.
  [Abstract] [Full text: PDF] [Full text: gzipped PostScript] (What is gzipped PostScript?)

• Complex periodic behaviour in a neural network model with activity-dependent neurite outgrowth
  Van Ooyen, A, and Van Pelt, J. (1996). J. Theor. Biol. 179: 229-242.
  [Abstract] [Full text: PDF]

• Implications of activity-dependent neurite outgrowth for neuronal morphology and network development
  Van Ooyen, A., Van Pelt, J., and Corner, M. A. (1995). J. Theor. Biol. 172: 63-82.
  [Abstract] [Full text: PDF]

• Activity-dependent neural network development
  Van Ooyen, A. (1994) (invited review). Network: Computation in Neural Systems 5: 401-423.
  [Abstract] [Full text: PDF] [Fig2: Word] [Full text: gzipped PostScript] (What is gzipped PostScript?)

• Activity-dependent neurite outgrowth and neural network development
  Van Ooyen, A., and Van Pelt, J. (1994). Progress in Brain Research 102: 245-259.
  [Abstract]

• Activity-dependent outgrowth of neurons and overshoot phenomena in developing neural networks
  Van Ooyen, A., and Van Pelt, J. (1994). J. Theor. Biol. 167: 27-43.
  [Abstract] [Full text: PDF]