Banstola Ashik, Silva Carlos, Ulrich Katharina, Ruan Ming, Robertson Lindsay, McNaughton Neil
Dept. Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Dept. Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
J Neurosci Methods. 2021 Jan 15;348:109011. doi: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2020.109011. Epub 2020 Nov 27.
The construction of multichannel micro-electrode arrays (MEA) generally requires complex and expensive procedures. Here we describe a simple, cheap, flexible method of linear MEA construction.
Our method allows manufacture of linear MEA (cross section ∼ 375 × 250 μm with 12 electrodes) of any desired length, with customized spacing of the electrode tips (down to a minimum spacing of 200 μm or less) to suit different needs and experiments. We describe the following steps: (1) set-up for MEA construction; (2) building of a construction jig; (3) building the reference, ground and optional electrical stimulation electrodes; (4) treatment of the main recording microwires; (5) soldering of the microwires to the main connector plug and arrangement of the microwires in a customizable array; and (6) testing of the MEA resistance and correct connections. Finally, we describe methods for quick surgical implantation of multiple MEAs and bipolar micro-stimulation electrodes for in vivo experiments in free-moving rats.
We provide examples of multi-site local field potentials from prolonged recordings in awake and free-moving rodents, with recordings viable for months, as well as samples of electrical stimulation effects on cortical and hippocampal recordings. Hippocampal recordings showed clear phase reversal and amplitude changes across its layers.
We briefly discuss how the arrays can support other forms of stimulation such as optogenetic probes.
多通道微电极阵列（MEA）的构建通常需要复杂且昂贵的程序。在此，我们描述一种简单、廉价且灵活的线性MEA构建方法。
我们的方法能够制造任意所需长度的线性MEA（横截面约为375×250μm，带有12个电极），电极尖端间距可定制（最小间距可达200μm或更小），以满足不同需求和实验。我们描述以下步骤：（1）MEA构建的设置；（2）构建一个构建夹具；（3）构建参考电极、接地电极和可选的电刺激电极；（4）处理主要记录微丝；（5）将微丝焊接到主连接器插头上，并将微丝排列成可定制的阵列；以及（6）测试MEA电阻和正确连接。最后，我们描述了在自由活动的大鼠体内实验中快速手术植入多个MEA和双极微刺激电极的方法。
我们提供了在清醒和自由活动的啮齿动物中长时间记录的多部位局部场电位示例，记录可持续数月，以及电刺激对皮质和海马记录影响的样本。海马记录显示其各层间有明显的相位反转和幅度变化。
我们简要讨论了这些阵列如何支持其他形式的刺激，如光遗传学探针。
