Electrophysiological activity modulation by chemical stimulation in networks of cortical neurons coupled to microelectrode arrays: A biosensor for neuropharmacological applications

A detailed analysis of drugs effects (i.e., 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX); d-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (APV); N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA); α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA)) on the neuronal network electrophysiological behavior, in terms of spike and burst activity, is presented. Moreover, a novel approach related to changes in the synchronization level among neuronal units in the network under chemical stimulation, is addressed. The application of chemicals modulates the electrophysiological activity of cortical neuronal networks with respect to the spontaneous activity intrinsically shown by the cultured neurons: this allows a comparison between different experimental sessions and different experimental preparations. The proposed approach and the presented results encourage a more extensive use of in vitro cultured neurons, coupled to MEAs, as biosensing systems for neuropharmacological applications.