Novel Synaptic Connections are Formed Among Identified Aplysia Neurons in Culture

We have constructed ensembles of identified invertebrate neurons for the study of network phenomena in vitro. Our emphasis was on co-cultures containing the cholinergic interneuron, L10. In agreement with Camardo et al. (1983), we have found that L10 reestablished characteristic chemical connections with many of its in vivo targets. However, we have also found that many of the same target cells (L7, L11, L12 and the LUQs), and at least one cell that is not an in vivo partner (L14), form strong chemical connections onto L10 in vitro.