Name: acute mouse brain slicing to investigate spontaneous hippocampal network activity
Uploaded: 2020-08-28T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Acute Mouse Brain Slicing to Investigate Spontaneous Hippocampal Network Activity at JoVE.com

The author would like to thank Steve Siegelbaum for support. Funding is provided by 5R01NS106983-02 as well as 1 F31 NS113466-01.

All methods described here have been approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at Columbia University (AC-AAAU9451).
1. Prepare solutions
<ol>
	<li>Prepare sucrose cutting solution for slicing as described in Table 1. 
	NOTE: After preparing 1 L of sucrose solution, freeze a small amount (approximately 100&#8211;200 mL) in an ice tray. These frozen sucrose ice cubes will be blended into an icy slurry (see step 4.3).</li>
	<li>Prepare a...

There are several steps in this slicing protocol designed to promote tissue health and favor the emergence of spontaneous naturalistic network activity: the mouse is transcardially perfused with chilled sucrose cutting solution; horizontal-entorhinal cortex (HEC) slices are cut at a thickness of 450 &#956;m from the intermediate or ventral hippocampus; slices recover at the interface of warmed ACSF and humidified, carbogen-rich air; during recordings slices are superfused with ACSF warmed to 32 &#176;C and delivered at a...

Electrophysiological measurement from living hippocampal slices in vitro is a powerful experimental approach with numerous advantages. The experimenter can use a microscope, micromanipulators, and a recording system to directly visualize and collect measurements from individual neurons in the tissue. Tissue slices are also very accessible to photostimulation or drug delivery for optogenetic, chemogenetic, or pharmacological experiments.
The hippocampal network generates highly synchronous population activity in vivo, visible as oscillations in the extracellular local field potential1,2,3,4,5. Brain slice methods have been leveraged to gain insight into the cellular and circuit mechanisms underlying these neuronal network oscillations. Foundational work from Maier et al. demonstrated that sharp wave-ripple complexes (SWRs) can emerge spontaneously in slices of the ventral hippocampus6,7. Subsequent studies from multiple investigators have gradually elucidated many aspects of SWRs, including the role of neuromodulators in regulating the network state of the hippocampus8,9,10 and the synaptic mechanisms that drive the in vitro reactivation of neuronal ensembles previously active during behavior in vivo11. Brain slice experiments have also provided insight into the gamma range oscillation (30&#8211;100 Hz), a distinct hippocampal network state believed to support memory encoding and recall12,13. Finally, recognizing the central role of the hippocampus and associated structures in the pathophysiology of temporal lobe epilepsy14,15, researchers have used hippocampal slice preparations to investigate the generation and propagation of epileptiform activity. Carter et al. demonstrated that combined hippocampal-entorhinal cortex slices prepared from chronically epileptic animals can spontaneously generate epileptiform discharges in vitro16. Subsequently, Karl&#243;cai et al. explored the mechanisms underlying epileptiform discharges in hippocampal slices by using modified artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) with altered ion concentrations (reduced Mg2+ or elevated K+) or added drugs (4AP or gabazine)17.
Investigators have developed numerous hippocampal slice approaches that differ in key ways: (1) the region of the hippocampus contained in the slice (dorsal, intermediate, or ventral); (2) the presence or absence of extrahippocampal tissues such as the entorhinal cortex; (3) the orientation used to cut slices (coronal, sagittal, horizontal, or oblique); and (4) the conditions under which the tissue is maintained after slicing (submerged fully in ACSF or held at the interface of ACSF and humidified, carbogen-rich air).
The choice of which slicing approach to use should be determined by the experimental objective. For example, transverse or coronal slices of the dorsal hippocampus maintained under submerged conditions have been used very effectively for the investigation of intrahippocampal circuitry and synaptic plasticity18,19,20. However, such preparations do not spontaneously generate network oscillations as readily as slices from the ventral hippocampus21,22,23. Although a state of persistent SWR activity can be induced by tetanic stimulation in transverse slices from the dorsal and ventral hippocampus24, spontaneous SWRs are more readily observed in ventral slices7,25.
An inherent physiological and anatomical distinction between the dorsal and ventral hippocampus is supported by studies performed both in vivo and in vitro26. Recordings in rats revealed strongly coherent theta rhythms throughout the dorsal and intermediate hippocampus, yet poor coherence between the ventral region and the rest of the hippocampus27. SWRs in vivo propagate readily between the dorsal and intermediate hippocampus, while SWRs that originate in the ventral hippocampus often remain local28. The associational projections originating from CA3 pyramidal neurons that reside in the dorsal and intermediate hippocampus project long distances along the longitudinal axis of the hippocampus. CA3 projections originating from ventral regions remain relatively local, and thus are less likely to be severed during the slicing process29,30. Ventral slices may, therefore, better preserve the recurrent network necessary to generate population synchrony. The propensity of ventral slices to generate spontaneous network activities in vitro may also reflect higher intrinsic excitability of pyramidal neurons or weaker GABAergic inhibition in the ventral hippocampus as compared to more dorsal regions31. Indeed, ventral hippocampal slices are more susceptible to epileptiform activity32,33. Thus, many studies of spontaneous physiological8,9,11,24 or pathological16,34,35,36 network oscillations have traditionally used a horizontal slicing approach, sometimes with a slight angle in the fronto-occipital direction, which yields tissue slices parallel to the transverse plane of the ventral hippocampus.
Network connectivity is unavoidably impacted by the slicing procedure as many cells in the slice will be severed. The angle and thickness of the slice and the tissue retained in the preparation should be considered to optimize connectivity in the circuits of interest. Many studies have utilized horizontal combined hippocampal-entorhinal cortex slices (HEC) to explore interactions between the two structures in the context of physiological or pathological network oscillations. Roth et al. performed dual recordings from the CA1 subfield of the hippocampus and layer V of the medial entorhinal cortex to demonstrate propagation of SWR activity through the HEC slice37. Many studies of epileptiform activity have used the HEC slice preparation to investigate how epileptiform discharges propagate through the corticohippocampal network16,35,36,38. It is important to note that preservation of the intact corticohippocampal loop is not a prerequisite for spontaneous SWRs, epileptiform discharges, or gamma oscillations; network oscillations can be generated in transverse slices of the dorsal or ventral hippocampus with no attached parahippocampal tissues21,22,23, 25,39,40,41. A more important factor for the spontaneous generation of network oscillations in hippocampal slices may be the thickness of each slice, as a thicker slice (400&#8211;550 &#956;m) will preserve more connectivity in the CA2/CA3 recurrent network21,22,25.
Although angled horizontal HEC slices (cut with an approximately 12&#176; angle in the fronto-occipital direction) have been used to study the functional connectivity of the corticohippocampal loop11,16,34,35,42, such angled preparations are not required for spontaneous network activity43,44,45. However, the use of an angled slicing plane does allow the investigator to selectively make slices that best preserve the transversely-oriented lamellae of either the ventral or intermediate hippocampus, depending on whether a downward or an upward angle is applied (Figure 1). This approach is conceptually similar to that used by Papatheodoropoulos et al., 2002, who dissected each hippocampus free and then used a tissue chopper to create transverse slices along the entire dorsal-ventral axis21. In the light of the aforementioned functional distinctions between the ventral and dorsal-intermediate hippocampus, investigators should consider the anatomical origin of slices when designing experiments or interpreting results. Using an agar ramp during the slicing procedure is a simple way to preferentially produce slices from either the intermediate or ventral hippocampus.
Hippocampal slices can be maintained in either a submerged chamber (with the tissue fully immersed in ACSF), or an interface-style chamber (e.g., Oslo or Haas chamber, with slices covered only by a thin film of flowing media). Interface maintenance enhances oxygenation of the tissue, which promotes neuronal survival and allows for sustained high levels of interneuronal activity. Traditionally, submerged recording conditions use a slower ACSF flow rate that does not provide adequate tissue oxygenation for stable expression of network-level oscillations. In submerged hippocampal slices carbachol-induced gamma oscillations are only observed transiently46,47, while they can be stably maintained in interface recording chambers10,48,49. As such, many studies of complex spontaneous activity in vitro have relied on interface recording chambers to investigate sharp-wave ripple complexes6,7,8,9,10,25,37, gamma oscillations10,13, and epileptiform activity16,38,45,47.
In a submerged-style recording chamber, an immersion microscope objective can be used to visualize individual cells and selectively target healthy-looking cells for recordings. The submerged preparation also allows fine control over the cellular milieu, as submersion facilitates rapid diffusion of drugs or other compounds to the tissue. Thus, a modified methodology in which stable network oscillations are maintained under submerged conditions represents a powerful experimental approach. This approach is exemplified by the work of H&#225;jos et al., in which hippocampal slices recover in a simplified interface-style holding chamber for several hours before transfer to a modified submerged recording chamber with a high flow rate of ACSF (~6 mL/min) to enhance oxygen supply to the tissue12,48,49. Under these conditions, high levels of interneuron activity and stable spontaneous network oscillations can be maintained in a submerged recording chamber. This modified approach allows the investigators to perform visually guided whole-cell patch clamp recordings and characterize the contribution of morphologically identified cell types to carbachol-induced gamma oscillations12. SWRs can also occur spontaneously in submerged hippocampal slices with a fast flow rate of ACSF11,48,49. Maier et al. demonstrated that hippocampal slices that recovered in an interface chamber before transfer to a submerged recording chamber reliably exhibited spontaneous SWRs, whereas slices that recovered submerged in a beaker before transfer to a submerged recording chamber showed smaller evoked field responses, lower levels of spontaneous synaptic currents, and only very rarely exhibited spontaneous SWRs43. Schlingloff et al. used this improved methodology to demonstrate the role of parvalbumin-expressing basket cells in the generation of spontaneous SWRs44.
The following protocol presents a slicing method through which spontaneously active neurons in horizontal hippocampal slices can be recovered under interface conditions and subsequently maintained in a submerged recording chamber suitable for pharmacological or optogenetic manipulations and visually guided recordings.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>3D printer</td>
			<td>Lulzbot</td>
			<td>LulzBot TAZ 6</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Acute brain slice incubation holder</td>
			<td>NIH 3D Print Exchange</td>
			<td>3DPX-001623</td>
			<td>Designed by ChiaMing Lee, available at https://3dprint.nih.gov/discover/3dpx-001623</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Adenosine 5&#8242;-triphosphate magnesium salt</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>A9187-500MG</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ag-Cl ground pellets</td>
			<td>Warner</td>
			<td>64-1309, (E205)</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>agar</td>
			<td>Becton, Dickinson</td>
			<td>214530-500g</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ascorbic acid</td>
			<td>Alfa Aesar</td>
			<td>36237</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>beaker (250 mL)</td>
			<td>Kimax</td>
			<td>14000-250</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>beaker (400 mL)</td>
			<td>Kimax</td>
			<td>14000-400</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>biocytin</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>B4261</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>blender</td>
			<td>Oster</td>
			<td>BRLY07-B00-NP0</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bonn scissors, small</td>
			<td>becton, Dickinson</td>
			<td>14184-09</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>borosilicate glass capillaries with filament (O.D. 1.5 mm, I.D. 0.86 mm, length 10 cm)</td>
			<td>Sutter Instruments</td>
			<td>BF150-86-10HP</td>
			<td>Fire polished capillaries are preferable.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>calcium chloride solution (1 M)</td>
			<td>G-Biosciences</td>
			<td>R040</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>camera</td>
			<td>Olympus</td>
			<td>OLY-150</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>compressed carbogen gas (95% oxygen / 5% carbon dioxide)</td>
			<td>Airgas</td>
			<td>X02OX95C2003102</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>compressed oxygen</td>
			<td>Airgas</td>
			<td>OX 200</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>constant voltage isolated stimulator</td>
			<td>Digitimer Ltd.</td>
			<td>DS2A-Mk.II</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>coverslips (22x50 mm)</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>16004-314</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>cyanoacrylate adhesive</td>
			<td>Krazy Glue</td>
			<td>KG925</td>
			<td>Ideally use the brush-on form for precision</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>data acquisition software</td>
			<td>Axograph</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Any equivalent software (e.g. pClamp) would work.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dell Precision T1500 Tower Workstation Desktop</td>
			<td>Dell</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>Catalog number will depend on specific computer - any computer will work as long as it can run electrophysiology acquisition software.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Digidata 1440A</td>
			<td>Molecular Devices</td>
			<td>1-2950-0367</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>digital timer</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>62344-641</td>
			<td>4-channel Traceable timer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>disposable absorbant pads</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>56616-018</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>dissector scissors</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>14082-09</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>double-edge razor blades</td>
			<td>Personna</td>
			<td>BP9020</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>dual automatic temperature controller</td>
			<td>Warner Instrument Corporation</td>
			<td>TC-344B</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>dual-surface or laminar-flow optimized recording chamber</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>N/A</td>
			<td>The chamber presented in this protocol is custom made. A commercial equivalent would be the RC-27L from Warner Instruments.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>equipment rack</td>
			<td>Automate Scientific</td>
			<td>FR-EQ70&#34;</td>
			<td>A rack is not strictly necessary but useful for organizing electrophysiology</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ethylene glycol-bis(2-aminoethyiether)- N,N,N&#39;,N&#39;-teetraacetic acid (EGTA)</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>324626-25GM</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>filter paper</td>
			<td>Whatman</td>
			<td>1004 070</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>fine scale</td>
			<td>Mettler Toledo</td>
			<td>XS204DR</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Flaming/Brown micropipette puller</td>
			<td>Sutter Instruments</td>
			<td>P-97</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>glass petri dish (100 x 15 mm)</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>3160-101</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>glucose</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>D16-1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Guanosine 5&#8242;-triphosphate sodium salt hydrate</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>G8877-250MG</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ice buckets</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>BAM168072002-1EA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>isoflurane vaporizer</td>
			<td>General Anesthetic Services</td>
			<td>Tec 3</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>lab tape</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>15-901-10R</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>lens paper</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>11-996</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>light source</td>
			<td>Olympus</td>
			<td>TH4-100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>magnesium chloride solution (1 M)</td>
			<td>Quality Biological</td>
			<td>351-033-721EA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>magnetic stir bars</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>14-513-56</td>
			<td>Catalog number will be dependent on the size of the stir bar.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>micromanipulator</td>
			<td>Luigs &#38; Neumann</td>
			<td>SM-5</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>micromanipulator (manual)</td>
			<td>Scientifica</td>
			<td>LBM-2000-00</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>microscope</td>
			<td>Olympus</td>
			<td>BX51WI</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>microspatula</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>10089-11</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>monitor</td>
			<td>Dell</td>
			<td>2007FPb</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MultiClamp 700B Microelectrode Amplifier</td>
			<td>Molecular Devices</td>
			<td>MULTICLAMP 700B</td>
			<td>The MultiClamp 700B should include headstages, pipette holders, and a model cell.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)piperazine-N&#8242;-(2-ethanesulfonic acid), (HEPES)</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>H3375-25G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>needle (20 gauge, 1.5 in length)</td>
			<td>Becton, Dickinson</td>
			<td>305176</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>nylon filament</td>
			<td>YLI Wonder Invisible Thread</td>
			<td>212-15-004</td>
			<td>size 0.004. This cat. # is from Amazon.com</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>nylon mesh</td>
			<td>Warner Instruments Corporation</td>
			<td>64-0198</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>perstaltic pump</td>
			<td>Harvard Apparatus</td>
			<td>70-2027</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Phosphocreatine di(tris) salt</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>P1937-1G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>pipette holders</td>
			<td>Molecular Devices</td>
			<td>1-HL-U</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>platinum wire</td>
			<td>World Precision</td>
			<td>PT0203</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>polylactic acid (PLA) filament</td>
			<td>Ultimaker</td>
			<td>RAL 9010</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>potassium chloride</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>P3911-500G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>potassium gluconate</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>1550001-200MG</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>potassium hydroxide</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>60377-1KG</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>razor blades</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>55411-050</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>roller clamp</td>
			<td>World Precision Instruments</td>
			<td>14041</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>scale</td>
			<td>Mettler Toledo</td>
			<td>PM2000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>scalpel handle</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>10004-13</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>slice harp</td>
			<td>Warner</td>
			<td>SHD-26GH/2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>sodium bicarbonate</td>
			<td>Fisher Chemical</td>
			<td>S233-500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>sodium chloride</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>S9888-1KG</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>sodium phosphate monobasic anhydrous</td>
			<td>Fisher Chemical</td>
			<td>S369-500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>sodium pyruvate</td>
			<td>Fisher Chemical</td>
			<td>BP356-100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>spatula</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>82027-520</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>spatula/spoon, large</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>470149-442</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>sterile scalpel blades</td>
			<td>Feather</td>
			<td>72044-10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>stirrer / hot plate</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>6795-220</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>stopcock valves, 1-way</td>
			<td>World Precision Instruments</td>
			<td>14054</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>stopcock valves, 3-way</td>
			<td>World Precision Instruments</td>
			<td>14036</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>sucrose</td>
			<td>Acros Organics</td>
			<td>AC177142500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>support for swivel clamps</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>14-679Q</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>surgical scissors, sharp/blunt</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>14001-12</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>syringe (1 mL)</td>
			<td>Becton, Dickinson</td>
			<td>309659</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>syringe (60 mL with Luer-Lok tip)</td>
			<td>Becton, Dickinson</td>
			<td>309653</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>three-pronged clamp</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>05-769-8Q</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>tissue forceps, large</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>11021-15</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>tissue forceps, small</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>11023-10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>transfer pipettes</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>13-711-7M</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>tubing</td>
			<td>Tygon</td>
			<td>E-3603</td>
			<td>ID 1/16 inch, OD 3/16 inch</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>tubing</td>
			<td>Tygon</td>
			<td>R-3603</td>
			<td>ID 1/8 inch, OD 1/4 inch</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>vacuum grease</td>
			<td>Dow Corning</td>
			<td>14-635-5D</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>vibrating blade microtome</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td>VT 1200S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>vibration-dampening table with faraday cage</td>
			<td>Micro-G / TMC-ametek</td>
			<td>2536-516-4-30PE</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>volumetric flask (1 L)</td>
			<td>Kimax</td>
			<td>KIM-28014-1000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>volumetric flask (2 L)</td>
			<td>PYREX</td>
			<td>65640-2000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>warm water bath</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>1209 
			&#160;</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

acute mouse brain slicing to investigate spontaneous hippocampal network activity

Acute rodent brain slicing offers a tractable experimental approach to gain insight into the organization and function of neural circuits with single-cell resolution using electrophysiology, microscopy, and pharmacology. However, a major consideration in the design of in vitro experiments is the extent to which different slice preparations recapitulate naturalistic patterns of neural activity as observed in vivo. In the intact brain, the hippocampal network generates highly synchronized population activity reflective of the behavioral state of the animal, as exemplified by the sharp-wave ripple complexes (SWRs) that occur during waking consummatory states or non-REM sleep. SWRs and other forms of network activity can emerge spontaneously in isolated hippocampal slices under appropriate conditions. In order to apply the powerful brain slice toolkit to the investigation of hippocampal network activity, it is necessary to utilize an approach that optimizes tissue health and the preservation of functional connectivity within the hippocampal network. Mice are transcardially perfused with cold sucrose-based artificial cerebrospinal fluid. Horizontal slices containing the hippocampus are cut at a thickness of 450 &#956;m to preserve synaptic connectivity. Slices recover in an interface-style chamber and are transferred to a submerged chamber for recordings. The recording chamber is designed for dual surface superfusion of artificial cerebrospinal fluid at a high flow rate to improve oxygenation of the slice. This protocol yields healthy tissue suitable for the investigation of complex and spontaneous network activity in vitro.

Presented here are representative recordings from HEC slices prepared as described in this protocol. Following recovery in an interface holding chamber (Figure 1C), slices are transferred individually to a submerged recording chamber (Figure 2B). The recording chamber is supplied with carbogen-saturated ACSF using a peristaltic pump (Figure 2A). The pump first draws ACSF from a holding beaker into a heated reservoir. Carbogen lines ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Acute Mouse Brain Slicing to Investigate Spontaneous Hippocampal Network Activity at JoVE.com

Acute Mouse Brain Slicing to Investigate Spontaneous Hippocampal Network Activity

This protocol describes the preparation of horizontal hippocampal-entorhinal cortex (HEC) slices from mice exhibiting spontaneous sharp-wave ripple activity. Slices are incubated in a simplified interface holding chamber and recordings are performed under submerged conditions with fast-flowing artificial cerebrospinal fluid to promote tissue oxygenation and the spontaneous emergence of network-level activity.

Acute rodent brain slicing offers a tractable experimental approach to gain insight into the organization and function of neural circuits with single-cell ...

Using this protocol, researchers can investigate the mechanisms underlying hippocampal network oscillations in acute mouse brain slice preparations. In this preparation, recordings are performed under submerged conditions in slices generating spontaneous network oscillations, allowing pharmacological and optogenetic techniques to be performed, and single-cell recordings to be visualized. For transcardial perfusion, immediately before removing the mouse from the isoflurane chamber, fill a Petri dish lid with three to five millimeters of chilled sucrose solution, and fill the Petri dish bottom with approximately one centimeter of chilled sucrose solution.Quickly transfer the anesthetized mouse to the left absorbent pad, and use three pieces of tape to secure the forelimbs and tail. Using large tissue forceps and surgical scissors, tent the skin and make a lengthwise incision from the bottom of the sternum to the top of the chest. Use the forceps to pull up on the sternum and use the scissors to cut through the diaphragm.Use the scissors to cut through the rib cage on each side in one large motion toward the point at which the forelimb meets the body, and use the forceps to position the front of the rib cage toward the head. Use the scissors to make a horizontal cut to completely remove the ribs, and use the forceps to hold the heart in place while inserting a 20-gauge perfusion needle into the left ventricle. When the needle is in place, use small dissection scissors to make an incision in the right atrium, and allow the blood to be flushed out of the circulatory system.To extract the brain, after decapitation, use small bond scissors to make two lateral cuts through the skull toward the midline at the front of the skull near the eyes, and make two additional cuts on either side of the base of the skull. Immerse the head in the glass Petri dish, and use the scissors to cut along the midline across the entire length of the skull, while pulling up with the scissors to minimize damage to the underlying brain tissue. Use small tissue forceps to firmly grasp each side of the skull, and to lift the bone up and away from the brain to open the cranium like a book.Using the fingers of the left hand to hold the flaps of the skull open, insert the microspatula under the brain near the olfactory bulbs, and flip the brain out of the skull into the sucrose. Use the microspatula to sever the brainstem, and wash the brain to remove any residual blood, fur, or tissues. Use the large spatula to transfer the brain to the glass Petri dish lid, and use half of a double-edged razor blade to make a coronal cut in the most anterior portion of the brain, including the olfactory bulbs.Next, make a coronal cut to remove the cerebellum, and apply cyanoacrylate adhesive to an agar ramp. Use forceps to briefly dry the brain on a piece of filter paper, before placing the tissue into the adhesive on the agar ramp, ventral-side down. Place the slicing platform into the slicing chamber of a microtome, and completely cover the setup with chilled sucrose solution.Use the large spatula to stir some sucrose slurry into the chamber, melting any frozen sucrose and rapidly bringing down the mixture temperature to one to two degrees Celsius. Cut slices to a thickness of 450 microns at 0.07 millimeters per second slicing speed. As each slice is freed, use the small-tissue forceps and a sharp scalpel to separate the two hemispheres, and to cut away tissue until the slice consists primarily of the hippocampus and perihippocampal regions.Use a plastic transfer pipette to transfer the slices individually to an interface recovery chamber containing warmed aCSF. With the slices positioned at the interface of the aCSF and air, and with only a thin meniscus of aCSF covering the slices. When all of the slices have been acquired, tightly close the chamber to allow the slices to recover at 32 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes.At the end of the recovery period, place the chamber on a stirrer set to a slow speed to promote aCSF circulation within the chamber. To record local field potentials, fill a 400 milliliter beaker with carbogen-bubbled aCSF, and place one end of the pump tubing into the beaker. Turn on a peristaltic pump at 8 to 10 milliliters per minute to direct aCSF from the 400 milliliter beaker to a heated reservoir, and from the reservoir to the recording chamber at 32 degrees Celsius.Next, briefly clamp the tubing and turn off the pump to pause the flow. Using fine forceps, transfer a brain tissue slice to the recording chamber by the corner of the lens paper the tissue is resting on, slice down. Peel away the lens paper, leaving the slice emerged in the recording chamber, and use a harp to secure the slice.Using a manual micromanipulator, slowly advance the tip of a sodium chloride-filled stimulation pipette into the surface of the slice at a 30 to 45 degree angle, then use a second micromanipulator to slowly advance the tip of an aCSf-filled local field potential pipette into the region of interest at a 30 to 45 degree angle, and record the local field potential of the sample according to standard protocols. In this figure, representative recordings from hippocampal entorhinal cortex slices, prepared according to the protocol as demonstrated, can be observed. In healthy slices, electrical stimulation should produce a field post-synaptic potential with a small pre-synaptic fiber volley and a large post-synaptic potential with a rapid initial descent.Spontaneous sharp-wave ripples should also be visible as positive deflections in the local field potential in the stratum pyramidale. In suboptimal slices, evoked field post-synaptic potentials demonstrate a large fiber volley, and a relatively small post-synaptic potential, and such slices do not exhibit spontaneous sharp-wave ripples. In vitro sharp-wave ripples demonstrate a positive field potential in the stratum pyramidale layer, with an overlaid high-frequency oscillation paired with a negative field potential in the stratum radiatum layer.As illustrated, sharp-wave ripples in hippocampal entorhinal cortex slices originate within CA2/CA3 recurrent circuits, and propagate to CA1. It is essential to bubble carbogen into the solutions throughout the procedure, to ensure that the sucrose solution is chilled, and to perform each step as quickly as possible. After preparing these slices, extracellular or intracellular recordings can be performed, along with optogenetic or pharmacological experiments to determine how different cell types contribute to the function of neural networks.

acute-mouse-brain-slicing-to-investigate-spontaneous-hippocampal

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

Combining Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and fMRI to Examine the Default Mode Network

The default mode network is a group of brain regions that are active when an individual is not focused on the outside world and the brain is at "wakeful rest."1,2,3 It is thought the default mode network corresponds to self-referential or "internal mentation".2,3
It has been hypothesized that, in humans, activity within the default mode network is correlated with certain pathologies (for instance, hyper-activation has been linked to schizophrenia 4,5,6 and autism spectrum disorders 7 whilst hypo-activation of the network has been linked to Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases 8). As such, noninvasive modulation of this network may represent a potential therapeutic intervention for a number of neurological and psychiatric pathologies linked to abnormal network activation. One possible tool to effect this modulation is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: a non-invasive neurostimulatory and neuromodulatory technique that can transiently or lastingly modulate cortical excitability (either increasing or decreasing it) via the application of localized magnetic field pulses.9
In order to explore the default mode network's propensity towards and tolerance of modulation, we will be combining TMS (to the left inferior parietal lobe) with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Through this article, we will examine the protocol and considerations necessary to successfully combine these two neuroscientific tools.

In this article, we examine the methodology and considerations relevant to the combination of TMS and fMRI to examine the effects of brain stimulation on the default network.

The default mode network is a group of brain regions that are active when an individual is not focused on the outside world and the brain is at "wakeful ...

Determination of the Spontaneous Locomotor Activity in Drosophila melanogaster

Drosophila melanogaster has been used as an excellent model organism to study environmental and genetic manipulations that affect behavior. One such behavior is spontaneous locomotor activity. Here we describe our protocol that utilizes Drosophila population monitors and a tracking system that allows continuous monitoring of the spontaneous locomotor activity of flies for several days at a time. This method is simple, reliable, and objective and can be used to examine the effects of aging, sex, changes in caloric content of food, addition of drugs, or genetic manipulations that mimic human diseases.

Determination of the Spontaneous Locomotor Activity in Drosophila melanogaster

Drosophila melanogaster are useful in studying genetic or environmental manipulations that affect behaviors such as spontaneous locomotor activity.&#160; Here we describe a protocol that utilizes monitors with infrared beams and data analysis software to quantify spontaneous locomotor activity.&#160;

Drosophila melanogaster has been used as an excellent model organism to study environmental and genetic manipulations that affect behavior. One such ...

Paired Whole Cell Recordings in Organotypic Hippocampal Slices

Pair recordings involve simultaneous whole cell patch clamp recordings from two synaptically connected neurons, enabling not only direct electrophysiological characterization of the synaptic connections between individual neurons, but also pharmacological manipulation of either the presynaptic or the postsynaptic neuron. When carried out in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures, the probability that two neurons are synaptically connected is significantly increased. This preparation readily enables identification of cell types, and the neurons maintain their morphology and properties of synaptic function similar to that in native brain tissue. A major advantage of paired whole cell recordings is the highly precise information it can provide on the properties of synaptic transmission and plasticity that are not possible with other more crude techniques utilizing extracellular axonal stimulation. Paired whole cell recordings are often perceived as too challenging to perform. While there are challenging aspects to this technique, paired recordings can be performed by anyone trained in whole cell patch clamping provided specific hardware and methodological criteria are followed. The probability of attaining synaptically connected paired recordings significantly increases with healthy organotypic slices and stable micromanipulation allowing independent attainment of pre- and postsynaptic whole cell recordings. While CA3-CA3 pyramidal cell pairs are most widely used in the organotypic slice hippocampal preparation, this technique has also been successful in CA3-CA1 pairs and can be adapted to any neurons that are synaptically connected in the same slice preparation. In this manuscript we provide the detailed methodology and requirements for establishing this technique in any laboratory equipped for electrophysiology.

Pair recordings are simultaneous whole cell patch clamp recordings from two synaptically connected neurons, enabling precise electrophysiological and pharmacological characterization of the synapses between individual neurons. Here we describe the detailed methodology and requirements for establishing this technique in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures in any laboratory equipped for electrophysiology.

Pair recordings involve simultaneous whole cell patch clamp recordings from two synaptically connected neurons, enabling not only direct ...

Slice It Hot: Acute Adult Brain Slicing in Physiological Temperature

Here we present a protocol for preparation of acute brain slices. This procedure is a critical element for electrophysiological patch-clamp experiments that largely determines the quality of results. It has been shown that omitting the cooling step during cutting procedure is beneficial in obtaining healthy slices and cells, especially when dealing with highly myelinated brain structures from mature animals. Even though the precise mechanism whereby elevated temperature supports neural health can only be speculated upon, it stands to reason that, whenever possible, the temperature in which the slicing is performed should be close to physiological conditions to prevent temperature related artifacts. Another important advantage of this method is the simplicity of the procedure and therefore the short preparation time. In the demonstrated method adult mice are used but the same procedure can be applied with younger mice as well as rats. Also, the following patch clamp experiment is performed on horizontal cerebellar slices, but the same procedure can also be used in other planes as well as other posterior areas of the brain.

In this paper we show a method for preparing acute brain slices in physiological temperature, using a conventional physiological solution without special modifications for the cutting (such as adding sucrose) and without intracardial perfusion of the animal before slice preparation.

Here we present a protocol for preparation of acute brain slices. This procedure is a critical element for electrophysiological patch-clamp experiments ...

Immunohistochemical Visualization of Hippocampal Neuron Activity After Spatial Learning in a Mouse Model of Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Induction of phosphorylated extracellular-regulated kinase (pERK) is a reliable molecular readout of learning-dependent neuronal activation. Here, we describe a pERK immunohistochemistry protocol to study the profile of hippocampal neuron activation following exposure to a spatial learning task in a mouse model characterized by cognitive deficits of neurodevelopmental origin. Specifically, we used pERK immunostaining to study neuronal activation following Morris water maze (MWM, a classical hippocampal-dependent learning task) in Engrailed-2 knockout (En2-/-) mice, a model of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). As compared to wild-type (WT) controls, En2-/- mice showed significant spatial learning deficits in the MWM. After MWM, significant differences in the number of pERK-positive neurons were detected in specific hippocampal subfields of En2-/- mice, as compared to WT animals. Thus, our protocol can robustly detect differences in pERK-positive neurons associated to hippocampal-dependent learning impairment in a mouse model of ASD. More generally, our protocol can be applied to investigate the profile of hippocampal neuron activation in both genetic or pharmacological mouse models characterized by cognitive deficits.

We describe an immunohistochemistry protocol to study the profile of hippocampal neuron activation following exposure to a spatial learning task in a mouse model characterized by cognitive deficits of neurodevelopmental origin. This protocol can be applied to both genetic or pharmacological mouse models characterized by cognitive deficits.

Induction of phosphorylated extracellular-regulated kinase (pERK) is a reliable molecular readout of learning-dependent neuronal activation. Here, we ...

Induction of an Isoelectric Brain State to Investigate the Impact of Endogenous Synaptic Activity on Neuronal Excitability In Vivo

The way neurons process information depends both on their intrinsic membrane properties and on the dynamics of the afferent synaptic network. In particular, endogenously-generated network activity, which strongly varies as a function of the state of vigilance, significantly modulates neuronal computation. To investigate how different spontaneous cerebral dynamics impact single neurons&#39; integrative properties, we developed a new experimental strategy in the rat consisting in suppressing in vivo all cerebral activity by means of a systemic injection of a high dose of sodium pentobarbital. Cortical activities, continuously monitored by combined electrocorticogram (ECoG) and intracellular recordings are progressively slowed down, leading to a steady isoelectric profile. This extreme brain state, putting the rat into a deep comatose, was carefully monitored by measuring the physiological constants of the animal throughout the experiments. Intracellular recordings allowed us to characterize and compare the integrative properties of the same neuron embedded into physiologically relevant cortical dynamics, such as those encountered in the sleep-wake cycle, and when the brain was fully silent.

Induction of an Isoelectric Brain State to Investigate the Impact of Endogenous Synaptic Activity on Neuronal Excitability In Vivo

This procedure performs long-lasting in vivo intracellular recordings from single neurons during physiologically relevant cerebral states and after complete abolition of ongoing electrical activities, resulting in an isoelectric brain state. The physiological constants of the animal are carefully monitored during the transition to the artificial comatose condition.

The way neurons process information depends both on their intrinsic membrane properties and on the dynamics of the afferent synaptic network. In ...

Recording Synaptic Plasticity in Acute Hippocampal Slices Maintained in a Small-volume Recycling-, Perfusion-, and Submersion-type Chamber System

Even though experiments on brain slices have been in use since 1951, problems remain that reduce the probability of achieving a stable and successful analysis of synaptic transmission modulation when performing field potential or intracellular recordings. This manuscript describes methodological aspects that might be helpful in improving experimental conditions for the maintenance of acute brain slices and for recording field excitatory postsynaptic potentials in a commercially available submersion chamber with an outflow-carbogenation unit. The outflow-carbogenation helps to stabilize the oxygen level in experiments that rely on the recycling of a small buffer reservoir to enhance the cost-efficiency of drug experiments. In addition, the manuscript presents representative experiments that examine the effects of different carbogenation modes and stimulation paradigms on the activity-dependent synaptic plasticity of synaptic transmission.

This protocol describes the stabilization of the oxygen level in a small volume of recycled buffer and methodological aspects of recording activity-dependent synaptic plasticity in submerged acute hippocampal slices.

Even though experiments on brain slices have been in use since 1951, problems remain that reduce the probability of achieving a stable and successful ...

A Preclinical Model to Assess Brain Recovery After Acute Stroke in Rats

The purpose of this study was to establish and validate an animal brain ischemia model in the recovery and sequela stages. A middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model in male Sprague-Dawley rats was chosen. By changing the rat&#39;s weight (260&#8722;330 g), the thread bolt type (2636/2838/3040/3043) and the brain infarct time (2-3 h), a higher Longa&#39;s score, a larger infarct volume and a greater model success ratio were screened using the Longa&#39;s score and TTC staining. The optimum model condition (300 g, 3040 thread bolt, 3 h brain infarct time) was acquired and used in a 1-90 day observation period after reperfusion via assessment of sensorimotor functions and infarct volume. At these conditions, the bilateral asymmetry test had a significant difference from 1 to 90 days, and the grid-walking test had a significant difference from 1 to 60 days; both differences could be a suitable sensorimotor functional test. Thus, the most appropriate condition of a novel rat model in the recovery and sequela stages of brain ischemia was found: 300 g rats that underwent MCAO with a 3040 thread bolt for a 3 h brain infarct and then reperfused. The appropriate sensorimotor functional tests were a bilateral asymmetry test and a grid-walking test.

The&#160;purpose of this study is to establish and validate an animal model for research in the recovery and sequela stages of brain ischemia by testing brain infarction and sensorimotor function after middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) after 1-90 days in rats.

The purpose of this study was to establish and validate an animal brain ischemia model in the recovery and sequela stages. A middle cerebral artery ...

Preparation of Acute Human Hippocampal Slices for Electrophysiological Recordings

Epilepsy affects about 1% of the world population and leads to a severe decrease in quality of life due to ongoing seizures as well as high risk for sudden death. Despite an abundance of available treatment options, about 30% of patients are drug-resistant. Several novel therapeutics have been developed using animal models, though the rate of drug-resistant patients remains unaltered. One of probable reasons is the lack of translation between rodent models and humans, such as a weak representation of human pharmacoresistance in animal models. Resected human brain tissue as a preclinical evaluation tool has the advantage to bridge this translational gap. Described here is a method for high quality preparation of human hippocampal brain slices and subsequent stable induction of epileptiform activity. The protocol describes the induction of burst activity during application of 8 mM KCl and 4-aminopyridin. This activity is sensitive to established AED lacosamide or novel antiepileptic candidates, such as dimethylethanolamine (DMEA). In addition, the method describes induction of seizure-like events in CA1 of human hippocampal brain slices by reduction of extracellular Mg2+ and application of bicuculline, a GABAA receptor blocker. The experimental set-up can be used to screen potential antiepileptic substances for their effects on epileptiform activity. Furthermore, mechanisms of action postulated for specific compounds can be validated using this approach in human tissue (e.g., using patch-clamp recordings). To conclude, investigation of vital human brain tissue ex vivo (here, resected hippocampus from patients suffering from temporal lobe epilepsy) will improve the current knowledge of physiological and pathological mechanisms in the human brain.

The presented protocol describes the transport and preparation of resected human hippocampal tissue with the ultimate goal to use vital brain slices as a preclinical evaluation tool for potential antiepileptic substances.

Epilepsy affects about 1% of the world population and leads to a severe decrease in quality of life due to ongoing seizures as well as high risk for ...

Horizontal Hippocampal Slices of the Mouse Brain

The hippocampus is a highly organized structure in the brain that is a part of the limbic system and is involved in memory formation and consolidation as well as the manifestation of severe brain disorders, including Alzheimer&#8217;s disease and epilepsy. The hippocampus receives a high degree of intra- and inter-connectivity, securing a proper communication with internal and external brain structures. This connectivity is accomplished via different informational flows in the form of fiber pathways. Brain slices are a frequently used methodology when exploring neurophysiological functions of the hippocampus. Hippocampal brain slices can be used for several different applications, including electrophysiological recordings, light microscopic measurements as well as several molecular biological and histochemical techniques. Therefore, brain slices represent an ideal model system to assess protein functions, to investigate pathophysiological processes involved in neurological disorders as well as for drug discovery purposes.
There exist several different ways of slice preparations. Brain slice preparations with a vibratome allow a better preservation of the tissue structure and guarantee a sufficient oxygen supply during slicing, which present advantages over the traditional use of a tissue chopper. Moreover, different cutting planes can be applied for vibratome brain slice preparations. Here, a detailed protocol for a successful preparation of vibratome-cut horizontal hippocampal slices of mouse brains is provided. In contrast to other slice preparations, horizontal slicing allows to keep the fibers of the hippocampal input path (perforant path) in a fully intact state within a slice, which facilitates the investigation of entorhinal-hippocampal interactions. Here, we provide a thorough protocol for the dissection, extraction, and acute horizontal slicing of the murine brain, and discuss challenges and potential pitfalls of this technique. Finally, we will show some examples for the use of brain slices in further applications.

This article aims to describe a systematic protocol to obtain horizontal hippocampal brain slices in mice. The objective of this methodology is to preserve the integrity of hippocampal fiber pathways, such as the perforant path and the mossy fiber tract to assess dentate gyrus related neurological processes.

The hippocampus is a highly organized structure in the brain that is a part of the limbic system and is involved in memory formation and consolidation as ...