Where Is Microelectrode Used?

Microelectrodes are used during electrophysiology experiments to record electrical activity from neurons, but they can also be used to deliver electrical current into the brain or to neurons in culture in a process called microstimulation.

What are microelectrode arrays used for?

Microelectrode arrays captures the field potential or activity across an entire population of cells, with far greater data points per well, detecting activity patterns that would otherwise elude traditional assays such as patch clamp electrophysiology which probes a single cell such as a neuron.

Where are microelectrodes placed?

Manipulating Neural Activity

A microelectrode is inserted into the brain or next to a neuron of interest and current is applied at a fixed frequency and time. The electrode elicits action potentials by changing the extracellular environment such that voltage-gated ion channels open, depolarizing the neuron.