Development of "brain-on-chip" devise including micropump for rapid administration of transmitters by and voltage imaging system for neurosignal detection

We developed a microchip for kinetic analysis of neural response toward chemical stimulation by using rapid electrochemical micropump and realtime voltage imaging. Aplysia neurons stained with a voltage sensitive dye was stimulated by a solution of potassium chloride or acetylcholine administrated by the diaphragm micropump powered by electrolysis. The change in the membrane potential of the neuron was monitored by a fluorescent microscope. The neural response time to acetylcholine was twice as long as that to potassium chloride. The device may be useful for observation of the kinetic effect of therapeutic drugs on neural response to transmitters.