Ultra-slow oscillations in cortical networks in vitro

An ultra-slow oscillation (<0.01 Hz) in the network-wide activity of dissociated cortical networks is described in this article. This slow rhythm is characterized by the recurrence of clusters of large synchronized bursts of activity lasting approximately 1-3 min, separated by an almost equivalent interval of relatively smaller bursts. Such rhythmic activity was detected in cultures starting from the fourth week in vitro. Our analysis revealed that the propagation motifs of constituent bursts were strongly conserved across multiple oscillation cycles, and these motifs were more consistent at the electrode level compared with the neuronal level.