Abstract
In this paper we present SpikeOnChip, a custom embedded platform for neuronal activity recording and online analysis. The SpikeOnChip platform was developed in the context of automated drug testing and toxicology assessments on neural tissue made from human induced pluripotent stem cells. The system was developed with the following goals: to be small, autonomous and low power, to handle micro-electrode arrays with up to 256 electrodes, to reduce the amount of data generated from the recording, to be able to do computation during acquisition, and to be customizable. This led to the choice of a Field Programmable Gate Array System-On-Chip platform. This paper focuses on the embedded system for acquisition and processing with key features being the ability to record electrophysiological signals from multiple electrodes, detect biological activity on all channels online for recording, and do frequency domain spectral energy analysis online on all channels during acquisition. Development methodologies are also presented. The platform is finally illustrated in a concrete experiment with bicuculline being administered to grown human neural tissue through microfluidics, resulting in measurable effects in the spike recordings and activity. The presented platform provides a valuable new experimental instrument that can be further extended thanks to the programmable hardware and software.
Highlights
In the last decades, there has been an increased interest for in vitro approaches in the field of drug discovery and toxicity testing [1]
This paper presented the development of a custom reconfigurable system for the acquisition and analysis of electrophysiological data, with emphasis on the description of the hardware and software architecture, as well as the algorithms implemented in the Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) for online analysis
The SpikeOnChip embedded platform achieves its goals of being cost-effective, lightweight and battery operated
Summary
There has been an increased interest for in vitro approaches in the field of drug discovery and toxicity testing [1]. This is a key issue for companies that develop new medical drugs. Paper submitted on the 30th of March 2021. Electrophysiological recording allows for on-line functional monitoring of neural tissue state. This approach is complementary to the traditional chemical, cytosolic, and histologic readouts and for some experiments is the only information needed. The main advantages of this type of readout is that the resulting signals are a direct and immediate representation of the neural tissue state and they account for a functional, high-level description of the neurons
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: IEEE transactions on biomedical circuits and systems
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
