Accurate resistivity mouse brain mapping using microelectrode arrays

• Electrical impedance measurements were performed in post-mortem mice brains.
• PRF method allowed obtaining intrinsic resistivity values of brain structures.
• Resistivity profiles are correlated with the local density of cell bodies.
• The method is used to quantify the graduated effects of a brain cauterization.

Electrical impedance spectroscopy measurements were performed in post-mortem mice brains using a flexible probe with an embedded micrometric electrode array. Combined with a peak resistance frequency method this allowed obtaining intrinsic resistivity values of brain tissues and structures with submillimetric resolution. Reproducible resistivity measurements are reported, which allows the resistivity in the cortex, ventricle, fiber tracts, thalamus and basal ganglia to be differentiated. Measurements of brain slices revealed resistivity profiles correlated with the local density of cell bodies hence allowing to discriminate between the different cortical layers. Finally, impedance measurements were performed on a model of cauterized mouse brain evidencing the possibility to measure the spatial extent and the degree of the tissue denaturation due to the cauterization.