Name: Author Spotlight: Advancing Spinal Cord Stimulation - Exploring the Cellular Responses of Motor Neurons Through Patch-Clamp Electrophysiology
Uploaded: 2023-09-08T14:15:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Advancing Spinal Cord Stimulation - Exploring the Cellular Responses of Motor Neurons Through Patch-Clamp Electrophysiology at JoVE.com

This study was funded by the&#160;National Natural Science Foundation of China&#160;for Young Scholars (52207254 and 82301657) and the&#160;China Postdoctoral Science Fund (2022M711833).

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approved all animal experiments&#160;and the studies were conducted in accordance with relevant animal welfare regulations.
1. Animals preparation
<ol>
	<li>Animals
	<ol>
		<li>Housing information: House male Sprague-Dawley rats (Postnatal 10-14 days, P10-P14) in a specific pathogen-free environment. 
		NOTE: Room conditions were maintained at 20 &#176;C &#177; 2 &#176;C, humidity: 50%-60%, with a 12-h light/ dark cycle. A...

Understanding Motor Neuron Responses to Spinal Cord Stimulation

<ol>
	<li>Rowald, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Activity-dependent+spinal+cord+neuromodulation+rapidly+restores+trunk+and+leg+motor+functions+after+complete+paralysis.">Activity-dependent spinal cord neuromodulation rapidly restores trunk and leg motor functions after complete paralysis.</a> Nature Medicine. 28 (2), 260-271 (2022).</li><li>Kathe, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+neurons+that+restore+walking+after+paralysis.">The neurons that restore walking after paralysis.</a> Nature. 611 (7936), 540-547 (2022).</li><li>Smith, S. J., Buchanan, J., Osses, L. R., Charlton, M. P., Augustine, G. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+spatial+distribution+of+calcium+signals+in+squid+presynaptic+terminals.">The spatial distribution of calcium signals in squid presynaptic terminals.</a> The Journal of Physiology. 472, 573-593 (1993).</li><li>Augustine, G. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Regulation+of+transmitter+release+at+the+squid+giant+synapse+by+presynaptic+delayed+rectifier+potassium+current.">Regulation of transmitter release at the squid giant synapse by presynaptic delayed rectifier potassium current.</a> The Journal of Physiology. 431, 343-364 (1990).</li><li>Llin&#225;s, R., McGuinness, T. L., Leonard, C. S., Sugimori, M., Greengard, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Intraterminal+injection+of+synapsin+I+or+calcium/calmodulin-dependent+protein+kinase+II+alters+neurotransmitter+release+at+the+squid+giant+synapse.">Intraterminal injection of synapsin I or calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II alters neurotransmitter release at the squid giant synapse.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 82 (9), 3035-3039 (1985).</li><li>Formento, E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Electrical+spinal+cord+stimulation+must+preserve+proprioception+to+enable+locomotion+in+humans+with+spinal+cord+injury.">Electrical spinal cord stimulation must preserve proprioception to enable locomotion in humans with spinal cord injury.</a> Nature Neuroscience. 21 (12), 1728-1741 (2018).</li><li>Hari, K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=GABA+facilitates+spike+propagation+through+branch+points+of+sensory+axons+in+the+spinal+cord.">GABA facilitates spike propagation through branch points of sensory axons in the spinal cord.</a> Nature Neuroscience. 25 (10), 1288-1299 (2022).</li><li>Sakmann, B., Neher, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Patch+clamp+techniques+for+studying+ionic+channels+in+excitable+membranes.">Patch clamp techniques for studying ionic channels in excitable membranes.</a> Annual Review Of Physiology. 46, 455-472 (1984).</li><li>Leroy, F., Lamotte d'Incamps, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+preparation+of+oblique+spinal+cord+slices+for+ventral+root+stimulation.">The preparation of oblique spinal cord slices for ventral root stimulation.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments:JoVE. (116), e54525 (2016).</li><li>Sharples, S. A., Miles, G. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Maturation+of+persistent+and+hyperpolarization-activated+inward+currents+shapes+the+differential+activation+of+motoneuron+subtypes+during+postnatal+development.">Maturation of persistent and hyperpolarization-activated inward currents shapes the differential activation of motoneuron subtypes during postnatal development.</a> Elife. 10, e71385 (2021).</li><li>Bhumbra, G. S., Beato, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Recurrent+excitation+between+motoneurones+propagates+across+segments+and+is+purely+glutamatergic.">Recurrent excitation between motoneurones propagates across segments and is purely glutamatergic.</a> PLoS Biology. 16 (3), e2003586 (2018).</li><li>Leroy, F., Lamotte d'Incamps, B., Imhoff-Manuel, R. D., Zytnicki, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Early+intrinsic+hyperexcitability+does+not+contribute+to+motoneuron+degeneration+in+amyotrophic+lateral+sclerosis.">Early intrinsic hyperexcitability does not contribute to motoneuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.</a> Elife. 3, 04046 (2014).</li><li>Tahir, R. A., Pabaney, A. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Therapeutic+hypothermia+and+ischemic+stroke:+A+literature+review.">Therapeutic hypothermia and ischemic stroke: A literature review.</a> Surgical Neurology International. 7, S381-S386 (2016).</li><li>Lu, Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Management+of+intractable+pain+in+patients+with+implanted+spinal+cord+stimulation+devices+during+the+COVID-19+pandemic+using+a+remote+and+wireless+programming+system.">Management of intractable pain in patients with implanted spinal cord stimulation devices during the COVID-19 pandemic using a remote and wireless programming system.</a> Frontiers in Neuroscience. 14, 594696 (2020).</li><li>Yao, Q., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Wireless+epidural+electrical+stimulation+in+combination+with+serotonin+agonists+improves+intraspinal+metabolism+in+spinal+cord+injury+rats.">Wireless epidural electrical stimulation in combination with serotonin agonists improves intraspinal metabolism in spinal cord injury rats.</a> Neuromodulation. 24 (3), 416-426 (2021).</li><li>Arlotti, M., Rahman, A., Minhas, P., Bikson, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Axon+terminal+polarization+induced+by+weak+uniform+dc+electric+fields:+a+modeling+study.">Axon terminal polarization induced by weak uniform dc electric fields: a modeling study.</a> 2012 Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. , 4575-4578 (2012).</li><li>Espino, C. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Na(V)1.1+is+essential+for+proprioceptive+signaling+and+motor+behaviors.">Na(V)1.1 is essential for proprioceptive signaling and motor behaviors.</a> Elife. 11, e79917 (2022).</li><li>Romer, S. H., Deardorff, A. S., Fyffe, R. E. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+molecular+rheostat:+Kv2.1+currents+maintain+or+suppress+repetitive+firing+in+motoneurons.">A molecular rheostat: Kv2.1 currents maintain or suppress repetitive firing in motoneurons.</a> The Journal of Physiology. 597 (14), 3769-3786 (2019).</li><li>Yao, X., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Structures+of+the+R-type+human+Ca(v)2.3+channel+reveal+conformational+crosstalk+of+the+intracellular+segments.">Structures of the R-type human Ca(v)2.3 channel reveal conformational crosstalk of the intracellular segments.</a> Nature Communications. 13 (1), 7358 (2022).</li><li>Bandres, M. F., Gomes, J., McPherson, J. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spontaneous+multimodal+neural+transmission+suggests+that+adult+spinal+networks+maintain+an+intrinsic+state+of+readiness+to+execute+sensorimotor+behaviors.">Spontaneous multimodal neural transmission suggests that adult spinal networks maintain an intrinsic state of readiness to execute sensorimotor behaviors.</a> Journal Of Neuroscience. 41 (38), 7978-7990 (2021).</li><li>Manuel, M., Heckman, C. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Simultaneous+intracellular+recording+of+a+lumbar+motoneuron+and+the+force+produced+by+its+motor+unit+in+the+adult+mouse+in+vivo.">Simultaneous intracellular recording of a lumbar motoneuron and the force produced by its motor unit in the adult mouse in vivo.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments: JoVE. (70), e4312 (2012).</li><li>Luo, X., Wang, S., Rutkove, S. B., Sanchez, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nonhomogeneous+volume+conduction+effects+affecting+needle+electromyography:+an+analytical+and+simulation+study.">Nonhomogeneous volume conduction effects affecting needle electromyography: an analytical and simulation study.</a> Physiological Measurement. 42 (11), (2021).</li><li>Barra, B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Epidural+electrical+stimulation+of+the+cervical+dorsal+roots+restores+voluntary+upper+limb+control+in+paralyzed+monkeys.">Epidural electrical stimulation of the cervical dorsal roots restores voluntary upper limb control in paralyzed monkeys.</a> Nature Neuroscience. 25 (7), 924-934 (2022).</li><li>Powell, M. P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Epidural+stimulation+of+the+cervical+spinal+cord+for+post-stroke+upper-limb+paresis.">Epidural stimulation of the cervical spinal cord for post-stroke upper-limb paresis.</a> Nature Medicine. 29 (3), 689-699 (2023).</li><li>Wenger, N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spatiotemporal+neuromodulation+therapies+engaging+muscle+synergies+improve+motor+control+after+spinal+cord+injury.">Spatiotemporal neuromodulation therapies engaging muscle synergies improve motor control after spinal cord injury.</a> Nature Medicine. 22 (2), 138-145 (2016).</li><li>&#214;zyurt, M. G., Ojeda-Alonso, J., Beato, M., Nascimento, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+longitudinal+lumbar+spinal+cord+preparations+to+study+sensory+and+recurrent+motor+microcircuits+of+juvenile+mice.">In vitro longitudinal lumbar spinal cord preparations to study sensory and recurrent motor microcircuits of juvenile mice.</a> Journal of Neurophysiology. 128 (3), 711-726 (2022).</li><li>Moraud, E. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mechanisms+underlying+the+neuromodulation+of+spinal+circuits+for+correcting+gait+and+balance+deficits+after+spinal+cord+injury.">Mechanisms underlying the neuromodulation of spinal circuits for correcting gait and balance deficits after spinal cord injury.</a> Neuron. 89 (4), 814-828 (2016).</li><li>Capogrosso, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+computational+model+for+epidural+electrical+stimulation+of+spinal+sensorimotor+circuits.">A computational model for epidural electrical stimulation of spinal sensorimotor circuits.</a> Journal of Neuroscience. 33 (49), 19326-19340 (2013).</li></ol>

The movement information modulated by SCS is finally converged to the motor neurons. Therefore, taking the motor neurons as the research target may simplify the study design and reveal the neuromodulation mechanism of SCS more directly. To simultaneously record diverse stimulus characteristics and cellular responses, a patch-clamp is a good method to study the electrophysiological characteristics at a single-cell scale. However, there are still some difficulties, including how to maintain cell viability, how to quickly s...

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) can effectively restore locomotor function after spinal cord injury (SCI). Andreas Rowald et al. reported that SCS enables lower limb locomotor and trunk function within a single day1. Exploring the biological mechanism of SCS for locomotor recovery is a critical and trending research field for developing a more precise SCS strategy. For example, Gr&#233;goire Courtine&#39;s team demonstrated that excitatory Vsx2 interneuron and Hoxa10 neurons in the spinal cord are the key neurons to response to SCS, and cell-specific neuromodulation is feasible to restore the rat walking ability after SCI2. However, few studies focus on the electrical mechanism of SCS at a single-cell scale. Although it is well-known that the suprathreshold direct current stimulus can elicit the action potentials (APs) in the classic squid experiment3,4,5, how the pulsed alternating electrical stimulation, such as SCS, affects the motor signal generation is still unclear.
Given the complexity of intraspinal neural circuits, appropriate selection for cell population is important for investigating the electrical mechanism of SCS. Although SCS restores motor function by activating the proprioceptive pathway6, the motor neurons are the final unit to execute the motor command, derived from integrating proprioception information afferent input7. Therefore, directly studying the electrical characteristics of motor neurons with SCS can help us understand the underlying logic of spinal motor modulation.
As we know, patch-clamp is the golden-standard method for cellularly electrophysiological recording with extremely high spatiotemporal resolution8. Therefore, this study describes a method using a patch clamp to study the electrical responses of motor neurons to SCS. Compared with the brain patch-clamp9, the spinal cord patch-clamp is more difficult due to the following reasons: (1) The spinal cord is protected by the vertebral canal with tiny volume, which requires very fine micromanipulation and rigorous ice-cold maintenance to obtain better cell viability. (2) Because the spinal cord is too slender to be secured on the cutting tray, it should be immersed in low-melting point agarose and trimmed after solidification.
Hence, this method provides technical details in dissecting the spinal cord and maintaining the cell viability at the same time so as to smoothly study the electrical mechanism of SCS on motor neurons and avoid unnecessary trials and mistakes.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Adenosine 5&#8217;-triphosphate magnesium salt</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>A9187</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ascorbic Acid</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>A4034</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CaCl2&#183;2H2O</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>C5080</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Choline Chloride</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>C7527</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cover slide tweezers</td>
			<td>VETUS</td>
			<td>36A-SA</td>
			<td>Clip a slice</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>D-Glucose</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>G8270</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EGTA</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>E4378</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fine scissors</td>
			<td>RWD Life Science</td>
			<td>S12006-10</td>
			<td>Cut the diaphragm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fluorescence Light Source</td>
			<td>Olympus&#160;</td>
			<td>U-HGLGPS</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fluoro-Gold</td>
			<td>Fluorochrome</td>
			<td>Fluorochrome</td>
			<td>Label the motor neuron</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Guanosine 5&#8242;-triphosphate sodium salt hydrate</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>G8877</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HEPES</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>H3375</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>infrared CCD camera</td>
			<td>Dage-MTI</td>
			<td>IR-1000E</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>KCl</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P5405</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>K-gluconate</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P1847</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Low melting point agarose</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>A9414</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MgSO4&#183;7H2O</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>M2773</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micromanipulator&#160;</td>
			<td>Sutter Instrument&#160;</td>
			<td>MP-200</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micropipette puller</td>
			<td>Sutter instrument</td>
			<td>P1000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micro-scissors&#160;</td>
			<td>Jinzhong</td>
			<td>wa1020</td>
			<td>Laminectomy</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microscope for anatomy</td>
			<td>Olympus&#160;</td>
			<td>SZX10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microscope for ecletrophysiology</td>
			<td>Olympus&#160;</td>
			<td>BX51WI</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micro-toothed tweezers</td>
			<td>RWD Life Science</td>
			<td>F11008-09</td>
			<td>Lift the cut vertebral body</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaCl</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>S5886</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaH2PO4</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>S8282</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaHCO3</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>V900182</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Na-Phosphocreatine</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>P7936</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Objective lens for ecletrophysiology</td>
			<td>Olympus&#160;</td>
			<td>LUMPLFLN60XW</td>
			<td>working distance 2 mm&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Osmometer&#160;</td>
			<td>Advanced&#160;</td>
			<td>FISKE 210</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Patch-clamp amplifier&#160;</td>
			<td>Axon&#160;</td>
			<td>Multiclamp 700B</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Patch-clamp digitizer</td>
			<td>Axon&#160;</td>
			<td>Digidata 1550B</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>pH meter&#160;</td>
			<td>Mettler Toledo&#160;</td>
			<td>FE28</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Slice Anchor</td>
			<td>Multichannel system</td>
			<td>SHD-27H</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Spinal cord stimulatior</td>
			<td>PINS</td>
			<td>T901</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Toothed tweezer</td>
			<td>RWD Life Science</td>
			<td>F13030-10</td>
			<td>Lift the xiphoid</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vibratome</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td>VT1200S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Wide band ultraviolet excitation filter</td>
			<td>Olympus&#160;</td>
			<td>U-MF2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

the ex vivo preparation of spinal cord slice for the whole-cell patch-clamp recording in motor neurons during spinal cord stimulation

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) can effectively restore locomotor function after spinal cord injury (SCI). Because the motor neurons are the final unit to execute sensorimotor behaviors, directly studying the electrical responses of motor neurons with SCS can help us understand the underlying logic of spinal motor modulation. To simultaneously record diverse stimulus characteristics and cellular responses, a patch-clamp is a good method to study the electrophysiological characteristics at a single-cell scale. However, there are still some complex difficulties in achieving this goal, including maintaining cell viability, quickly separating the spinal cord from the bony structure, and using the SCS to successfully induce action potentials. Here, we present a detailed protocol using patch-clamp to study the electrical responses of motor neurons to SCS with high spatiotemporal resolution, which can help researcher improve their skills in separating the spinal cord and maintaining the cell viability at the same time to smoothly study the electrical mechanism of SCS on motor neuron and avoid unnecessary trial and mistake.

Author Spotlight: Advancing Spinal Cord Stimulation - Exploring the Cellular Responses of Motor Neurons Through Patch-Clamp Electrophysiology 

The Ex vivo Preparation of Spinal Cord Slice for the Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Recording in Motor Neurons During Spinal Cord Stimulation

Thanks to the rigorous low-temperature maintenance during the fine operation (Supplementary Figure 1, Supplementary Figure 2,&#160;and Figure 1), the cell viability was good enough to perform subsequent electrophysiological recordings. To simulate the clinical scenario as much as possible, we used micromanipulation to place the SCS cathode and anode near the dorsal midline and DREZ, respectively (Figure 2), which could initiate neural signal in ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Advancing Spinal Cord Stimulation - Exploring the Cellular Responses of Motor Neurons Through Patch-Clamp Electrophysiology at JoVE.com

This protocol describes a method using a patch-clamp to study the electrical responses of motor neurons to spinal cord stimulation (SCS) with high spatiotemporal resolution, which can help researchers improve their skills in separating the spinal cord and maintaining cell viability simultaneously.

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) can effectively restore locomotor function after spinal cord injury (SCI). Because the motor neurons are the final unit to ...