A neural probe electrode system, which comprises: a) a skull mounting plate, comprising: i) a mount body configured to be supported on the skull of a subject; and ii) at least two first openings extending through the mount body; and b) at least two first threaded screws configured for registry in the at least two first openings of the mount body to threadingly mount the skull mounting plate to a skull; c) a housing configured to house electronics and to be detachably supported on the skull mounting plate; d) an electrical cable extending from a proximal cable portion having a proximal cable end to a distal cable end, wherein the proximal cable end is detachably electrically connected to the electronics housed in the housing with the proximal cable portion extending through an opening in the housing; e) at least one neural probe electrode assembly comprising a proximal probe end spaced from a distal probe portion having a distal probe end, wherein the proximal probe end is electrically connected to the distal cable end and wherein the distal probe portion has at least one neural probe electrode array configured for electrical stimulation of body tissue or recording of biological characteristics of the body tissue; and f) a cradle supported on the housing, wherein the at least one neural probe electrode array is configured to be nested in the cradle prior to placement in a body tissue; g) wherein after the housing is supported on the skull mounting plate mounted to a skull by the at least two first screws received in respective ones of the at least two first openings and threaded into the skull, the at least one neural probe electrode array is accessible from outside the housing for placement in a body tissue. a) a skull mounting plate, comprising: i) a mount body configured to be supported on the skull of a subject; and ii) at least two first openings extending through the mount body; and i) a mount body configured to be supported on the skull of a subject; and ii) at least two first openings extending through the mount body; and b) at least two first threaded screws configured for registry in the at least two first openings of the mount body to threadingly mount the skull mounting plate to a skull; c) a housing configured to house electronics and to be detachably supported on the skull mounting plate; d) an electrical cable extending from a proximal cable portion having a proximal cable end to a distal cable end, wherein the proximal cable end is detachably electrically connected to the electronics housed in the housing with the proximal cable portion extending through an opening in the housing; e) at least one neural probe electrode assembly comprising a proximal probe end spaced from a distal probe portion having a distal probe end, wherein the proximal probe end is electrically connected to the distal cable end and wherein the distal probe portion has at least one neural probe electrode array configured for electrical stimulation of body tissue or recording of biological characteristics of the body tissue; and f) a cradle supported on the housing, wherein the at least one neural probe electrode array is configured to be nested in the cradle prior to placement in a body tissue; g) wherein after the housing is supported on the skull mounting plate mounted to a skull by the at least two first screws received in respective ones of the at least two first openings and threaded into the skull, the at least one neural probe electrode array is accessible from outside the housing for placement in a body tissue.