Localized Induced Current Stimulation to Neuronal Culture Using Soft Magnetic Material

SUMMARYTo establish precisely focused magnetic stimulation, we developed a Mu‐metal‐based low‐frequency localized induced current (LIC) stimulation system with microfabricated dual cell‐culture chamber. The dual cell‐culture chamber was arranged in a concentric circle manner. Between the inner and outer chambers, four or eight connecting microchannels were fabricated using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Rat cortical neurons were separately cultured in outer and inner chambers. Through the micro‐channels, functional synaptic connections were formed. Mu‐metal with very high magnetic permeability was aligned along the outer circle, which allowed the application of LIC stimulation to the cells in the outer chamber. Applying low‐frequency magnetic fields to the Mu‐metal, induced currents were generated and the electrical activity of the cells in the outer chamber was modified depending on the stimulation intensity. Following the modified activity in the outer circles, the cells in the inner chamber also showed slightly depressed activity patterns. These results suggested that our system would be promising for localized stimulation of neuronal networks and highly effective regulation of network activities. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 96(8): 9–17, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.11473