Dopamine-induced Relaxation of Connectivity Diversifies Burst Patterns in Cultured Hippocampal Networks

The intricate interplay of neurotransmitters orchestrates a symphony of neural activity in the hippocampus, with dopamine emerging as a key conductor in this complex ensemble. Despite numerous studies uncovering the cellular mechanisms of dopamine, its influence on hippocampal neural networks remains elusive. Combining in vitro electrophysiological recordings of rat embryonic hippocampal neurons, pharmacological interventions, and computational analyses of spike trains, we found that dopamine induces a relaxation in network connectivity, characterised by a reduction in spike coherence. This relaxation expands the repertoire of burst dynamics within these hippocampal networks, a phenomenon notably absent under the administration of dopamine antagonists. Our study provides a thorough understanding of the roles of dopamine signalling in shaping functional networks of hippocampal neurons.