Electrical activity and development of neural circuits

A distinct feature of the nervous system is the intricate network of synapt ic connections among neurons of diverse phenotypes. Although initial connec tions are formed largely through molecular mechanisms that depend on intrin sic developmental programs, spontaneous and experience-cl riven electrical activities in the developing brain exert critical epigenetic influence on s ynaptic maturation and refinement of neural circuits. Selective findings di scussed here illustrate some of our current understanding of the effects of electrical activity on circuit development and highlight areas that await further study.