Ex-Vivo Recording of LEUS-Generated Neural Responses from Mouse Brain Slices Using a Microelectrode Array (MEA) System

Ultrasound (US) neurostimulation, or neuromodulation, is a technique undergoing much exploration in recent years because of its potential capability of providing a minimally-or noninvasive, targeted treatment of various neurological disorders. However, though most published work has highlighted the feasibility of the technique through in vivo animal studies, there is still much debate about the mechanisms involved at the cellular and neuronal network scale. Recording of electrical activity from mouse brain slices using MicroElectrode Array (MEA) systems is a procedure with great potential to allow the study of electrical activity induced by ultrasound stimulation in neuronal networks with high spatial resolution. As such, the aim of this study was to design an experimental setup that would integrate an MEA recording system with an ultrasound stimulation setup, all while identifying electrical signals generated by sonicated brain slices.