The present invention provides assays and devices for effective screening and characterization of agents (eg, drugs) for psychoactive properties. The assay provides an effective amplification of sensitive changes in neurological function using intact neural circuits that exhibit functional network properties. In a preferred embodiment, the assay utilizes a novel multi-element electrode array in contact with a portion of the mammalian brain (eg, tissue slices of the hippocampus, neuronal cultures of isolated hippocampus, or coculture of diaphragms and hippocampal slices). The method of the present invention provides a portion of a mammalian brain in contact with a multielectrode array; Stimulating the mammalian brain with a signal that changes over time through one or more electrodes comprising the multi-electrode array in the presence of at least two different concentrations of the medicament; Detecting an output signal that changes over time from the mammalian brain through at least two electrodes comprising the multi-electrode array and is a function of an input signal; Detecting a difference in output signal generated by a given input signal among two or more concentrations of the drug, wherein the difference in output signal in the drug at different concentrations indicates that the drug acts to change the function of the brain It comprises a step.;Screening methods for drugs that change the function of the brain.
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