Stimulation of Patterned Neuronal Cultures by a Magnetic Field
Transcrição
To begin magnetic stimulation, position a neuronal culture, grown in a circular shape pattern, under the microscope. Stimulate the culture using a standard circular magnetic stimulation coil and a supporting stimulator, which are commercially available.
To stimulate the cultures with non-standard magnetic field intensities, connect a custom-made magnetic stimulation coil to the custom-built stimulator. Then, with an aid of a laser pointer, align the center of the culture to the center of the coil to ensure successful stimulation.
Adjust the coil position so that it remains approximately five millimeters above the center of the culture. Once the stimulation coil is properly positioned, load the stimulator to a potential of up to five kilovolts. Then, using a high-current, high-voltage switch, discharge the high voltage and current through the stimulation coil to generate a magnetic pulse that stimulates the activity of the cultured neurons.
