Neural recording electrodes suffer from poor signal to noise ratio, charge density, biostability and biocompatibility. This paper investigates the ability of conducting polymer coated electrodes to record acute neural response in a systematic manner, allowing in depth comparison of electrochemical and electrophysiological response. Approach. Polypyrrole (Ppy) and poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) doped with sulphate (SO4) or para-toluene sulfonate (pTS) were used to coat iridium neural recording electrodes. Detailed electrochemical and electrophysiological investigations were undertaken to compare the effect of these materials on acute in vivo recording. Main results. A range of charge density and impedance responses were seen with each respectively doped conducting polymer. All coatings produced greater charge density than uncoated electrodes, while PEDOT-pTS, PEDOT-SO 4 and Ppy-SO4 possessed lower impedance values at 1 kHz than uncoated electrodes. Charge density increased with PEDOT-pTS thickness and impedance at 1 kHz was reduced with deposition times up to 45 s. Stable electrochemical response after acute implantation inferred biostability of PEDOT-pTS coated electrodes while other electrode materials had variable impedance and/or charge density after implantation indicative of a protein fouling layer forming on the electrode surface. Recording of neural response to white noise bursts after implantation of conducting polymer-coated electrodes into a rat model inferior colliculus showed a general decrease in background noise and increase in signal to noise ratio and spike count with reduced impedance at 1 kHz, regardless of the specific electrode coating, compared to uncoated electrodes. A 45 s PEDOT-pTS deposition time yielded the highest signal to noise ratio and spike count. Significance. A method for comparing recording electrode materials has been demonstrated with doped conducting polymers. PEDOT-pTS showed remarkable low fouling during acute implantation, inferring good biostability. Electrode impedance at 1 kHz was correlated with background noise and inversely correlated with signal to noise ratio and spike count, regardless of coating. These results collectively confirm a potential for improvement of neural electrode systems by coating with conducting polymers. 2013 IOP Publishing Ltd.

New materials and designs for neural implants are typically tested separately, with a demonstration of performance but without reference to other implant characteristics. This precludes a rational selection of a particular implant as optimal for a particular application and the development of new materials based on the most critical performance parameters. This article develops a protocol for in vitro and in vivo testing of neural recording electrodes. Recommended parameters for electrochemical and electrophysiological testing are documented with the key steps and potential issues discussed. This method eliminates or reduces the impact of many systematic errors present in simpler in vivo testing paradigms, especially variations in electrode/neuron distance and between animal models. The result is a strong correlation between the critical in vitro and in vivo responses, such as impedance and signal-to-noise ratio. This protocol can easily be adapted to test other electrode materials and designs. The in vitro techniques can be expanded to any other nondestructive method to determine further important performance indicators. The principles used for the surgical approach in the auditory pathway can also be modified to other neural regions or tissue.

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Electrical stimulation (35 microA rms/15 s) of the anterior pretectal nucleus (APtN) inhibits the spinal reflex of the tail-flick (TF) to noxious heat in unanaesthetised rats. APtN stimulation also reduces the nociceptive response of spinal dorsal horn neurones in halothane-anaesthetised rats. This study determined if the antinociceptive effects of APtN stimulation depended on neurones in the ventral medulla. Bilateral electrolytic lesions of the ventrolateral medulla, but not the nucleus raphe magnus, reduced by 70% the antinociceptive effect of APtN stimulation in the TF test. In rats anaesthetised with halothane, electrical stimulation of the APtN (single square wave 0.1 msec pulses, 2-20 microA, 1 Hz) excited cells in the ventrolateral medulla. These data suggest a connection between both areas. This connection is further confirmed by neuroanatomical tract tracing studies in which the retrograde dye Fast Blue was injected into the ventrolateral medulla. Fluorescent cell bodies were found in the APtN. We therefore conclude that the ventrolateral medulla is part of a descending antinociceptive pathway from the APtN.