Analysis of microarray studies performed in the neurosciences

Abstract

The application of microarray technology to basic and applied fields of science has been progressing rapidly and broadly since its initial description. The field of neuroscience stands to benefit particularly, as nervous tissue is the most transcriptionally active system within most biological organisms. Moreover, large numbers of cell and animal models have been created that mimic many biochemical and behavioral features of neurological states and diseases. In the present study, data on study designs, tissue sources, technology platforms, bioinformatic tools, and results obtained from 448 published microarray studies were collected. The data were then summarized to determine overall usage statistics of microarrays. Future directions and applications for microarrays in the neurosciences were then inferred from the data analyzed.