SELF-WIRING OF NEURAL NETWORKS

In order to form the intricate network of synaptic connections in the brain, the growth cones migrate through the embryonic environment to t heir targets using chemical communication. As a first step to study se lf-wiring, 2D model systems of neurons have been used. We present a si mple model to reproduce the salient features of the 2D systems. The mo del incorporates random walkers representing the growth cones, which m igrate in response to chemotaxis substances emitted by the soma and co mmunicating with each other and with the soma by means of attractive c hemotactic ''feedback''. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.