[8p-C309-1~16] 12.7 Biomedical Engineering and Biochips

5:15 PM - 5:30 PM JST(8:15 AM - 8:30 AM UTC)Presentation by Applicant for JSAP Young Scientists Presentation Award

[8p-C309-12] Recording Neural Activity and Assessing Synchrony within 3D Neural Tissue Using a 3D Pillar Microelectrode Array

〇Taiki Otomo^1,2, Koji Sakai^1,2, Riku Takahashi^1,2, Toichiro Goto^1,2, Yosuke Mizuno^1,2, Aya Tanaka^1,2 (1.NTT BRL, 2.NTT BMC)

Keywords:

Microelectrode array,Neuro engineering,3D printing

Neural spheroids are promising in vitro models that better reproduce in vivo-like neural circuit formation than 2D cultures. However, conventional 2D MEAs mainly record activity near the spheroid surface and cannot easily evaluate internal neural activity or synchrony. In this study, neural activity inside rat cortical spheroids was recorded by using a 3D pillar microelectrode array composed of Au feedlines, Au 3D electrodes, and 3D-printed structures. Spike firing and network burst frequency increased with culture time, indicating the development of network activity. STTC analysis showed that synchrony was relatively uniform in the early stage but became spatially heterogeneous in the later stage. These results suggest that partially synchronized functional connectivity forms inside neural spheroids during maturation and demonstrate that 3D pillar MEAs can visualize internal synchrony structures that are difficult to assess with 2D MEAs.