Slow-Wave Recordings From Micro-Sized Neural Clusters Using Multiwell Type Microelectrode Arrays

Objective: The use of microelectrode array (MEA) recordings is a very effective neurophysiological method because it is able to continuously and noninvasively obtain the spatiotemporal information of electrical activity from many neurons constituting a neural network. Very recently, studies have been published that used MEAs for the measurement of a low-frequency component of electrical activity as an indicator of diverse activity of cultured neurons. The occurrence of low-frequency activities has electrophysiological information that does not include the information from fast spikes. However, there is no in vitro experimental model suitable for measuring the low-frequency activities (slow-waves) for further study. Methods: Neural clusters consisting of dozens of neurons were placed directly onto each electrode of an MEA from which fast spikes and slow-waves were measured. Results: We obtained sufficient data on the early development patterns of the slow-waves and the spikes measured from many independent neural clusters confirming that the slow-waves occurred first before the emergence of the spikes in the neural clusters. We also showed that changes in the occurrence frequency of the slow-waves for synaptic blockers were measured from a large number of independent cultures. Conclusion: Microsized neural cluster arrays, which can be combined with conventional MEAs, are suitable for multiple simultaneous recordings of slow-waves. Significance: Our technology provides a simple but useful method to study the generation of a low-frequency component of the electrical activity in cultured neural networks that are not yet well known as well as to expand the use of conventional MEAs.