Abstract
A fast and reliable in vitro method is in need to aid the discovery of a common endophenotype across various neurological models. By using an in vitro calcium imaging method, I discuss if an in vitro calcium imaging protocol could serve this purpose by investigating the network activity in an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) model and comparing the population activity between hippocampus and neocortex. Cntnap2 KO ASD model has shown evidence of inhibition deficit, resulting in a neuron network that favors excitation. Here the goal is to study the influence of such inhibitory deficit on the population activity of somatosensory cortex neuron development. A prolonged upstate duration and the irreversible hyperexcitability after short-term activity deprivation imply impaired homeostatic plasticity probably due to early inhibition deficits. Previous research has shown that the hippocampus is relatively vulnerable to seizures. Discrepancies in response were found across hippocampal regions when activity deprivation occurred. Here, by applying short-term and long-term TTX treatment to organotypic slice culture, biophysical properties were compared across hippocampal CA1, CA3, DG regions, and neocortex. No spontaneous epileptiform activity was recorded and similar responses to TTX were observed in the hippocampus and neocortex.