Carbon nanotubes are strong, flexible, conduct electrical current, and can
be functionalized with different molecules, properties that may be useful i
n basic and applied neuroscience research. We report the first application
of carbon nanotube technology to neuroscience research. Methods were develo
ped for growing embryonic rat-brain neurons on multiwalled carbon nanotubes
. On unmodified nanotubes, neurons extend only one or two neurites, which e
xhibit very few branches. In contrast, neurons grown on nanotubes coated wi
th the bioactive molecule 4-hydroxynonenal elaborate multiple neurites, whi
ch exhibit extensive branching. These findings establish the feasability of
using nanotubes as substrates for nerve cell growth and as probes of neuro
nal function at the nanometer scale.