The Neurochip: A New Tool for Studying Cultured Networks

神经芯片：研究培养网络的新工具

• 批准号: 6701349
• 负责人: JEROME PINE
• 金额: $ 31.68万
• 依托单位: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2003
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2003-03-01 至 2007-02-28
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/6701349
• 关键词: axon; dendrites; electrodes; electrophysiology; hippocampus; laboratory rat; microprocessor /microchip; neural information processing; neural plasticity; neurons; synapses; technology /technique development; tissue /cell culture

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The primary goal of this project is to develop a prototype of a silicon-based structure, the "neurochip" which will support the growth and development of cultured neural networks and will greatly enhance the ability of researchers to study them. The structure will be an array of 61 "wells" into which dissociated neurons can be placed, and which will hold each of them in proximity to an extracellular electrode. The wells will allow process outgrowth of axons and dendrites and be closely spaced so as to support synaptic connectivity of the neurons to form a network. The prototype can be scaled up to larger networks, and the fabrication method will be compatible with on-chip CMOS electronics for on-chip processing, control, and wireless communication. The electrodes will provide the capability to stimulate and record from any chosen neurons of the network non-destructively, supporting studies of the network connectivity over time; of patterns of spontaneous activity;, and of activity-dependent effects resulting from stimulation. A second goal of the project is to utilize neurochips to perform an initial series of experiments which will reveal the development of connections, the effects of stimulation on remodeling the network and the creation of "learned" responses. These will provide unique knowledge of network behavior, in detail, beyond what is now possible with available techniques in vivo or in vitro. In addition, neurochip networks have the potential to reveal pharmacological effects relevant to drug design and deveIopment, and also to exhibit the effects on nervous system function of genetic defects.

描述（由申请人提供）： 该项目的主要目标是开发硅基结构的原型，即“神经芯片”，它将支持培养神经网络的生长和发展，并将大大提高研究人员研究它们的能力。该结构将是一个由 61 个“孔”组成的阵列，可以将分离的神经元放入其中，并将每个神经元保持在细胞外电极附近。这些孔将允许轴突和树突的生长，并且间隔紧密，以支持神经元的突触连接以形成网络。该原型可以扩展到更大的网络，并且制造方法将与用于片上处理、控制和无线通信的片上 CMOS 电子设备兼容。 电极将提供非破坏性地刺激和记录网络中任何选定神经元的能力，支持随着时间的推移对网络连接性的研究；自发活动的模式；以及刺激产生的活动依赖性效应。该项目的第二个目标是利用神经芯片进行一系列初步实验，这些实验将揭示连接的发展、刺激对重塑网络的影响以及“习得”反应的产生。这些将提供有关网络行为的独特知识，详细程度超出了现有体内或体外技术所能实现的范围。 此外，神经芯片网络有潜力揭示与药物设计和开发相关的药理作用，并展示遗传缺陷对神经系统功能的影响。