Repetitive training enhances the pattern recognition capability of cultured neural networks

Cultured neural networks in vitro have demonstrated the biocomputing capability to recognize patterns. However, the underlying mechanisms behind information processing and pattern recognition remain less understood. Here, we developed an in vitro neural network integrated with microelectrode arrays (MEAs) to explore the network’s classification capability and elucidate the mechanisms underlying this classification. After applying different stimulation patterns using MEAs, the network exhibited structural alterations and distinct electrical responses that recognized various stimulation patterns. Alongside the reshaping of network structures, repeated training increased recognition accuracy for each stimulation pattern. Additionally, it was reported for the first time that spontaneous networks after stimulation are more closely related to the structures of evoked networks. This work provides new insights into the structural changes underlying information processing and contributes to our understanding of how cultured neural networks respond to different patterns.