A Low-Cost Interface for Multi-Electrode Array Data Acquisition Systems

Abstract

Multi-electrode array systems have enabled the in vitro electrophysiological study of neuronal networks. The data processing component of these systems consists of an advanced computer system and data acquisition electronics that collectively cost more than the multi-electrode arrays and amplifiers. Considering that these elaborate systems may be cost-prohibitive for many laboratories, we have developed a simple but novel method for recording groups of related multi-electrode array channels with a low-cost data acquisition system.

Stimulation with a Low-Amplitude, Digitized Synaptic Signal to Invoke Robust Activity within Neuronal Networks on Multielectrode Arrays

“…Cortical neurons harvested from day 15 C57BL/6 mouse embryos were dissociated and plated at 100 cells/mm 2 in Laminin-coated, 250mm 2 glass multielectrode arrays containing 59 titanium nitride electrodes in a 1.4mm 2 area on a 200m grid at the center of the chamber from Multi Channel Systems (Reutlingen, Germany) and maintained in B27-supplemented Neurobasal medium (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) as described (17). Sacrifice of the pregnant female was carried out under procedures approved by our Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.…”

“…Spontaneous neuronal signals were discernable within ten days of plating. However, cultures were maintained for 1 month prior to recording in order to allow maturation and stabilization of the neuronal network (1719). …”

“…Established neuronal networks on MEAs were placed in a MEA-1060-INV amplifier (Multi Channel Systems) with a fixed gain of 1200 on all 59 channels as described (17). Groups of 16 amplified channels were recorded with our custom interface (17) connected to the DT9814 data acquisition system (Data Translation; Marlborough, MA).…”

“…Groups of 16 amplified channels were recorded with our custom interface (17) connected to the DT9814 data acquisition system (Data Translation; Marlborough, MA). Data was captured at 3.125 kHz simultaneously accessing 16 channels and 12.5 kHz accessing 4 channels; the latter was used to validate the use of undersampling for the purpose of observing more channels (20).…”

Acceleration of Myofiber Formation in Culture by a Digitized Synaptic Signal

“…Signals were generated and delivered as described 20,21 (Fig. 2A); briefly, the digitized synaptic signal consisted of a 1 s segment of a spontaneous synaptic signal recorded from a mature murine neuronal culture.…”