Screening of Neuropharmaceuticals with neuronal cell cultures

The function of neuronal networks is only understandable as a functional unity. Neural crosslinking is the basic principle of neural information processing. This is way the analysis and characterisation of actions stimulated by adding substances to neural network cultures is a very innovative technology. It should deliver crucial findings for the development of CNS drugs in coming years [ more... ] .

Nerve cells can be kept alive in a culture on microelectrode arrays for several months. By doing this, the electrical activity of several nerve cells in a living network can be monitored undisturbed over a long period. Neuro active substances show a significant influence when added to the networks.

With an advanced data analysing tool for pattern recognition such as our technology framework Pattern Expert, this influence on activity patterns can be studied and interpreted. A basic assumption is the ability to replicate experiments, which can be done with the help of our data analysing tools.

Furthermore it was shown that every substance has its own fingerprint of a caused activity pattern.

Pharmacologists get a universal model to study neural activity under influence of their newly developed substances or drug candidates. This method is an supplementary method to brain slice culture and patch clamp technology. They get a completely new insight into the opportunities of drug development not seen until now. A wide range of phenomena from activity patterns can now be studied precisely. For example, synchronity of single nerve cells can be quantified with new measures. Now we can differentiate between "good" and "bad" effects. Such a profiling system we established first time for antiepileptic drugs.