Detection of Electrophysiological Indicators of Neurotoxicity in Human and Rat Brain Slices by a Three-Dimensional Microelectrode Array

Rüdiger Köhling,Raffaella Melani,Uwe Koch,Erwin-Josef Speckmann, Milena Koudelka-Hep, Pierre Thiébaud and Maurizio Balestrino

Electrophysiological techniques for the assessment of in vitro neurotoxicology have several advantages over other currently-used methods (for example, morphological techniques), including the ability to detect damage at a very early stage. Novel recording techniques based on microelectrode arrays are available, and could improve recording power. In this study, we investigated how a three-dimensional microelectrode array detects the electrophysiological endpoints of neurotoxicity. We conclude that electrophysiology sensitively reveals neurotoxic actions, and that three-dimensional microelectrode arrays could be proposed for use in neurotoxicology as recording tools that allow easy and sensitive multisite recording, from both rodent and human brain tissue.