Nano-ampere stimulation window for cultured neurons on micro-electrode arrays

摘要

From experiments, it appears to be possible to stimulate a neuron by depolarisation of the lower membrane patch, the sealing part of the membrane, using a nano-ampere current through the extracellular electrode. Also, a stimulation window is observed. These findings can be explained by a finite element model of the neuron-electrode interface which permits geometry based dynamic modeling of the neuron-electrode interface and can be used to explore the requirements for lower membrane stimulation in more detail. An intracellular action potential develops if the current through the lower membrane is able to depolarize the upper membrane sufficiently.