Nagarah John M, Stowasser Annette, Parker Rell L, Asari Hiroki, Wagenaar Daniel A
Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CA, USA.
Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Front Neurosci. 2015 Oct 20;9:384. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00384. eCollection 2015.
Multielectrode arrays (MEAs) allow for acquisition of multisite electrophysiological activity with submillisecond temporal resolution from neural preparations. The signal to noise ratio from such arrays has recently been improved by substrate perforations that allow negative pressure to be applied to the tissue; however, such arrays are not optically transparent, limiting their potential to be combined with optical-based technologies. We present here multi-suction electrode arrays (MSEAs) in quartz that yield a substantial increase in the detected number of units and in signal to noise ratio from mouse cortico-hippocampal slices and mouse retina explants. This enables the visualization of stronger cross correlations between the firing rates of the various sources. Additionally, the MSEA's transparency allows us to record voltage sensitive dye activity from a leech ganglion with single neuron resolution using widefield microscopy simultaneously with the electrode array recordings. The combination of enhanced electrical signals and compatibility with optical-based technologies should make the MSEA a valuable tool for investigating neuronal circuits.
多电极阵列（MEA）能够以亚毫秒级的时间分辨率从神经标本中采集多部位的电生理活动。最近，通过在基底上打孔使负压作用于组织，此类阵列的信噪比得到了改善；然而，这种阵列不是光学透明的，限制了其与基于光学的技术相结合的潜力。我们在此展示了石英材质的多吸电极阵列（MSEA），它能显著增加从小鼠皮质-海马切片和小鼠视网膜外植体中检测到的神经元数量以及信噪比。这使得能够观察到各种来源放电率之间更强的交叉相关性。此外，MSEA的透明度使我们能够使用宽场显微镜以单神经元分辨率同时记录来自水蛭神经节的电压敏感染料活性以及电极阵列记录。增强的电信号与基于光学的技术的兼容性相结合，应使MSEA成为研究神经元回路的有价值工具。
