Recording action potentials from cultured neurons with extracellular microcircuit electrodes

Abstract

Dissociated cell cultures of neurons from neonatal rat superior cervical ganglia were grown in specially prepared dishes, the bottoms of which consist of glass coverslips on which thin-film microcircuits were deposited. The microcircuit provides 32 microelectrodes per dish, each approximately 8 .times. 10 .mu.m in area. Extracellular recordings of action potentials from individual neurons were made, with good signal-to-noise ratios, for cells within 40 .mu.m of the electrode centers. The microelectrodes are also suitable for passing the current required for extracellular stimulation and action potentials were evoked by stimulating cell bodies and processes through the electrodes.