Experimental

From Neural Wiki

Understanding the brain is predicated on matching models and theories to data obtained from living neural tissue. Any model or explanation of brain function that cannot be supported by observation will fade away. Therefore, one of the most important aspects of brain research is obtaining experimental data from living neural networks whether in vitro or in vivo.

[edit] In vitro

• Experiments are done on tissue removed from the study animal

Microelectrode Arrays

Patch Clamps

• Currently, the most popular methods are

Brain slices

Dissociated Networks

The CNNS experiment protocol shows what is involved with experimenting on dissociated neural tissue in vitro

[edit] In vivo

• Experiments are performed on living organisms
  • • Invasive
      • Electrodes
    • Non-invasive
      • FMRI
      • Psychophysics Research Overview

[edit] Archived data

If you would like to analyze data from electrophysiological recordings, some of it is available online. In a paper title An extremely rich repertoire of bursting patterns during the development of cortical cultures, published in BMC Neuroscience (2006) the data collected is available if you contact one of the authors, Dr. Steve Potter (steve.potter@bme.gatech.edu), and ask for permission.