Assays for the detection of agents that affect cognition

摘要

This invention provides assays and devices for the effective screening and characterization of agents (e.g. drugs) for psychoactive properties. The assays utilize intact neural circuitries exhibiting functional network properties to provide effective amplification of subtle alterations of neurological function. In a preferred embodiment, the assays utilize novel multi-element electrode arrays that interfaced with a portion of a mammalian brain (.e.g. a hippocampal tissue slice, dissociated hippocampal neuron culture, or co-culture of septum and hippocampus slice). The methods involve providing a portion of a mammalian brain in culture contacted with a multi-electrode array; stimulating the mammalian brain with a time-varying input signal through two or more electrodes comprising the multi-electrode array in the presence of at least two different concentrations of the agent; detecting a time-varying output signal from the mammalian brain though two or more electrodes comprising the multi-electrode array where the output signal is a function of the input signal; and detecting differences in the output signal produced by a given input signal in at least two different concentrations of the agent whereby a difference in output signal in different concentrations of the agent indicates that the agent acts to alter brain function.