| abstract |
This relates to methods for the detection of psychoactive compounds in an in vitro neuronal tissue sample by detecting oscillations of extracellular voltage desirably before and after the introduction of a candidate sample on to an in vitro neuronal tissue sample and for devices useful in practicing the methods. Analysis of the extracellular voltage parameters leads to indicatio n of the presence of psychoactive material in the candidate sample and information as to its pharmacological activity and/or composition. Further, it relates to a process of initiating and maintaining the presence of repetitiv e neuronal activity within the in vitro sample. Additionally, this includes a method for the stimulation of or initiation of repetitive neuronal activity, e.g., EEG, in an in vitro nueronal tissue sample by introducing a stimulatin g composition comprising compounds that facilitate or mimic the actions of acetylcholine, serotonin, or catecholamines, such as carbachol, or by subjecting the in vitro neuronal sample to electrical stimulation parameters . |