title: Microelectrode array-based system for neuropharmacological applications with cortical neurons cultured in vitro.
abstract: Microelectrode arrays (MEAs) provide a means to investigate the electrophysiological behavior of neuronal systems through the measurements from neuronal culture preparations. Changes in activity patterns of neuronal networks are usually detected by applying neural chemicals. Because of the difficulties of fabricating the arrays, and the delicate and less reliable properties of cortical neurons, MEA-based systems with cortical neuronal networks for neurophamacological applications are technically difficult, therefore restricting their utility. Here, we report a new approach to the development of such MEA-based system with sensitive and durable MEAs conveniently fabricated and the culture conditions optimized. Upon growth differentiation, cortical neurons, cultured directly on MEAs, reach a developmentally stable and reliable activity state. With this system, we monitored the global spontaneous activities of neuronal networks and demonstrated the fine discrimination for specific substances and unique property of cortical neurons, which validated both the applicability and necessity of such system in pharmacological bioassay.
authors.affiliation: Medical Systems Biology Research Center, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
authors.forename: Guangxin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.forename: Liangbin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Lihua
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Zhongyao
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Xindong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Wanli
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: Yuxiang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008839:Microelectrodes; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009480:Neuropharmacology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents