Glioblastoma disrupts cortical network activity at multiple spatial and temporal scales

Abstract The emergence of glioblastoma in cortical tissue initiates early and persistent neural hyperexcitability with signs ranging from mild cognitive impairment to convulsive seizures. The influence of peritumoral synaptic density, growth dynamics, and spatial contours of excess glutamate upon higher order neuronal network modularity is unknown. We combined cellular and widefield imaging of calcium and glutamate fluorescent reporters in two GBM mouse models with distinct synaptic microenvironments and growth profiles. Functional metrics of neural ensembles are dysregulated during tumor invasion depending on the stage of malignant progression and tumor cell proximity. Neural activity is significantly elevated during periods of accelerated tumor growth. Abnormal glutamate accumulation precedes and outpaces the spatial extent of baseline neuronal calcium signaling, indicating these processes are uncoupled in tumor cortex. Distinctive excitability homeostasis patterns and functional connectivity of local and remote neuronal populations support the promise of precision genetic diagnosis and management of this devastating brain disease.