Application of the chemical imaging sensor to electrophysiological measurement of a neural cell

The chemical imaging sensor is applied to electrophysiological measurement of a neural cell. In this method, neural cells are cultured directly on the sensing surface, and a laser beam is used to specify a cell to be measured . The amplitude of the ac photocurrent induced by the laser beam is measure d to detect the change of the membrane potential of the cell. In this study , the membrane potential of the cell is varied by injection of a de current , and it is demonstrated that the ac photocurrent signal responds to the me mbrane potential. This method would enable noninvasive electric measurement of neural cells, networks or tissues under long-term culture. (C) 1999 Els evier Science S.A. All rights reserved.