Neuronal stimulation model, device and methods using alternate current
OwnerMin Tang-Schomerinventor
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Abstract
Described is a method of modulating neuronal network activities, the method including applying an alternating electric field (EF) to a neuronal network of neuronal cells in culture for a period of time, and increasing or decreasing a frequency of the alternating EF after the period of time to provide the neuronal network activities that are synchronizing or desynchronizing the neuronal network of neuronal cells in the culture, wherein increasing the frequency of the alternating electric field provides synchronizing neuronal network activities, and wherein decreasing the frequency of the alternating electric field provides desynchronizing neuronal network activities.
Claims15
A method of modulating neuronal network activities comprising
- applying an alternating electric field (EF) to a neuronal network of neuronal cells in culture for a period of time, and
- increasing or decreasing a frequency of the alternating EF after the period of time to provide the neuronal network activities that are synchronizing or desynchronizing the neuronal network of neuronal cells in the culture,
- wherein increasing the frequency of the alternating electric field provides synchronizing neuronal network activities, and
- wherein decreasing the frequency of the alternating electric field provides desynchronizing neuronal network activities.
An apparatus comprising a 3D culture the 3D culture comprising
- a scaffold,
- a gel region adjacent to the scaffold,
- electrode pair at the interface of the scaffold and the gel region, wherein the electrode pair is spaced at least about 2 mm apart and spans a length of the interface, and
- a neuronal cell comprising a neuronal cell body, an axon, and neurites, wherein the neuronal cell body is immobilized on the scaffold and the axon and neurites have free movement and growth in the gel region,
- applying an alternating field electrical signal to the gel region in the 3D culture for a period of time to stimulate directed growth of the neuronal axon,
- wherein the alternating field electric signal is applied with the electrode pair spaced at least about 2 mm apart, and wherein the alternating field electric signal spans gel region.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.