Investigating brain functional evolution and plasticity using micro electrode array technology.

Investigating brain functional evolution and plasticity using micro electrode array technology.
Brain Res Bull. 2015 Oct 14;
Authors: Napoli A, Obeid I
Abstract
The aim of this work was to investigate long and short-term plasticity responsible for memory formation in dissociated neuronal networks. In order to address this issue, a set of experiments was designed and implemented in which the Micro Electrode Array electrode grid was divided into four quadrants, two of which were chronically stimulated, every two days for one hour with a stimulation paradigm that varied over time. Overall network and quadrant responses were then analyzed to quantify what level of plasticity took place in the network and how this was due to the stimulation interruption. The results demonstrate that there were no spatial differences in the stimulus-evoked activity within quadrants. Furthermore, the implemented stimulation protocol induced depression effects in the neuronal networks as demonstrated by the consistently lower network activity following stimulation sessions. Finally, the analysis demonstrated that the inhibitory effects of the stimulation decreased over time, thus suggesting a habituation phenomenon. These findings are sufficient to conclude that electrical stimulation is an important tool to interact with dissociated neuronal cultures, but localized stimuli are not enough to drive spatial synaptic potentiation or depression. On the contrary,...

Source: Brain Research Bulletin - October 14, 2015 Category: Neurology Authors: Napoli A, Obeid I Tags: Brain Res Bull Source Type: research