Advances in Network Electrophysiology: Using Multi-Electrode Arrays

Advances in Network Electrophysiology: Using Multi Electrode Arrays explores methods for using electrophysiological techniques for monitoring the concurrent activity of ensembles of single neurons. It reviews the recent progress in both electronics and computational tools developed to analyze the functional operations of large ensembles of neurons using multi-electrode arrays and in vitro preparations. In addition, it gives readers a sense of the applications made possible by these technological tools. This volume is the reference for researchers, industry, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows in all areas of neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, pharmaceutical science, and bioengineering.

This book book is an attempt to review the recent progress in both electronics and computational tools developed to analyze the functional operations of large ensembles of neurons and to provide the readers with a sense of the applications made possible by these technological tools. While considerable progress has been made over the last decades in our understanding of electrophysiological processes at the single channel, single

synapse, and single neuron levels, our understanding of electrophysiological

processes at the neuronal network level is still in its infancy.

This book includes:

• Technological overviews of multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) and related electronics and software,
• Applications of MEAs to study ensemble activity of dissociated cell cultures including cardiac myocytes,
• Applications of the technology for drug discovery using acute and cultured slices.

Examples of studies directed at understanding the origins and functions of various rhythmic activities in neuronal ensembles.