ANALYSIS OF LOW-DENSITY NEURONAL NETWORKS ON MICROCONTACT PRINTED MICROELECTRODE ARRAYS

Abstract

Hippocampal neuronal networks were cultured on poly-L-lysine stamped microelectrode array. The neurons plated with low density enabled us to monitor electrical activities in a single cell level and to observe the signal propagation through the network. We found that electrically functional synapses still existed even in the density as low as 200 cells/mm2. The cells were evoked by electrical current and high-K+. To identify what kinds of synapse are dominant in the cultured neurons, DNQX, AMPA antagonist were applied into the cultures. By scanning electron microscopy and immunocytostaining, the cultured neurons were visualized.