A new planar multielectrode array for extracellular recording: applicationto hippocampal acute slice

The present paper describes a new planar multielectrode array (the MED prob e) and its electronics (the MED system) which perform electrophysiological studies on acute hippocampal slices. The MED probe has 64 planar microelect rodes, is covered with a non-toxic, uniform insulation layer, and is furthe r coated with polyethylenimine and serum. The MED probe is shown to be appr opriate for both stimulation and recording. In particular, multi-channel re cordings of field EPSPs obtained by stimulating with a pair of planar micro electrodes were established for rat hippocampal acute slices. The recording s were stable for 6 h. Finally a spatial distribution of long-term potentia tion was studied using the MED system. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All r ights reserved.