Human neuronal networks on MEA: a robust tool to study disease phenotype in vitro

In vitro neuronal models have become an important tool to study healthy and diseased neuronal circuits. In particular, with the recent advent of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) the differentiation of human neurons from the cells of adult donors became possible, opening perspectives for patient-specific investigations in vitro. In this talk, Monica Frega will show that hiPSCs derived neuronal networks grown on micro-electrode arrays (MEAs) are a robust tool to investigate neuronal network phenotype and response to drugs in neurological disorders. Furthermore, she will discuss the potential of the model for investigating molecular aspects and cellular interactions that might be involved in disease. Finally, she will comment on the potential of human in vitro models for translation.