Development, learning and memory in large random networks of cortical neurons: lessons beyond anatomy.

1. Introduction 63 1.1 Outline 63 1.2 Universals versus realizations in the study of learning and memory 64 2. Large random cortical networks developing ex vivo 65 2.1 Preparation 65 2.2 Measuring electrical activity 67 3. Spontaneous development 69 3.1 Activity 69 3.2 Connectivity 70 4. Consequences of spontaneous activity : pharmacological manipulations 72 4.1 Structural consequences 72 4.2 Functional consequences 73 5. Effects of stimulation 74 5.1 Response to focal stimulation 74 5.2 Stimulation-induced changes in connectivity 74 6. Embedding functionality in real neural networks 77 6.1 Facing the physiological definition of ' reward ' : two classes of theories 78 6.2 Closing the loop 79