Simultaneous recording of the electroretinogram and spike activity with a microelectrode-array

Field potential analysis can supplement network studies with information on graded neuronal activity in large populations and the physiological state of the tissue. In extracellular recordings with a microelectrode-array the authors investigated the structure of local field potentials (ERG) induced by visual stimulation and their temporal relation to spike activity in excised chicken retina segments. To assess the influence of tissue viability on both parameters the authors evaluated spike response characteristics and ERG after prolonged recording and spreading depression, a pathological phenomenon in neural tissue. Spike characteristics corresponded well to in vivo recordings with mainly phasic ON- and OFF-responses. ERGs consisted of four components differentially and reproducibly varying with the physiological state of the tissue