Finite Element Modeling of the Neuron-electrode Interface: Stimulus Transfer and Geometry

The relation between stimulus transfer and the geometry of the neuron-electrode interface can not be determined properly using electrical equivalent circuits, since current that flows from the sealing gap through the neuronal membrane is difficult to model in these circuits. Therefore, finite element modeling is proposed as a tool for linking the electrical properties of the neuronelectrode interface to its geometry. INTRODUCTION The electrical contact between a planar microelectrode and a cultured neuron depends on the geometry of the neuronelectrode interface and is of importance for effective stimulus transfer. In literature, electrical equivalent circuits are used frequently for modeling the electrical behaviour of the neuron-electrode interface [1,2]. Are these circuits suitable for studying the relation between stimulus transfer and the geometry of the neuron-electrode interface or do we need a more detailed finite element model? METHODS ‘ The geometry of the neuron-electrode interface is both mapped to the components of an electrical equivalent circuit and used for finite element modeling of the neuron-electrode