Abstract

One type of future, improved neural interface is the “cultured probe”. It is a hybrid type of neural information transducer or prosthesis, for stimulation and/or recording of neural activity. It would consist of a microelectrode array (MEA) on a planar substrate, each electrode being covered and surrounded by a local circularly confined network (“island”) of cultured neurons. The main purpose of the local networks is that they act as biofriendly intermediates for collateral sprouts from thein vivosystem, thus allowing for an effective and selective neuron–electrode interface. As a secondary purpose, one may envisage future information processing applications of these intermediary networks. In this paper, first, progress is shown on how substrates can be chemically modified to confine developing networks, cultured from dissociated rat cortex cells, to “islands” surrounding an electrode site. Additional coating of neurophobic, polyimide-coated substrate by triblock-copolymer coating enhances neurophilic-neurophobic adhesion contrast. Secondly, results are given on neuronal activity in patterned, unconnected and connected, circular “island” networks. For connected islands, the larger the island diameter (50, 100 or 150 μm), the more spontaneous activity is seen. Also, activity may show a very high degree of synchronization between two islands. For unconnected islands, activity may start at 22 days in vitro (DIV), which is two weeks later than in unpatterned networks.

Highlights

  • Efficient and selective electrical stimulation and recording of neural activity in peripheral, spinal or central neural pathways requires multielectrode arrays at micrometer or nanometer scale

  • It can be clearly observed that adhesion in the neurophobic regions decreases with time for polyimide-only, but remains equal or varies a bit for all other coating conditions

  • Best results are obtained for the two coatings on the PI basic layer, with only a few percent of neurophobic layer area taken by cells after 30 days

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Summary

Introduction

Efficient and selective electrical stimulation and recording of neural activity in peripheral, spinal or central neural pathways requires multielectrode arrays at micrometer or nanometer scale. As there are no “blueprints” for the exact positions of fibers in a peripheral nerve, or motor neurons in a ventral. “cultured probe” devices are being developed, based on cell-cultured planar multielectrode arrays (see Figures 1 and 2). They may enhance efficiency and selectivity because neural cells have been grown over and around each electrode site as electrode-specific local networks. After implantation, collateral sprouts branch from a motor fiber (ventral horn area) and if they can each be guided and contacted to one specific “host” island network, a one-to-one, i.e. very selective and efficient, stimulatory interface will result

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