This research was supported by UT Southwestern startup funds (SK).

All experiments were carried out in accordance with protocols approved by the UT Southwestern Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, and were chosen so as to minimize stress, discomfort, and pain experienced by the experimental animals.
1. Solutions
Note: Prepare micropipette internal solutions in advance. For most basic experimental purposes, two kinds of solutions should suffice: Cs+-based and K+-based solutions.
<ol>
	<li>Use Cs+-based solutions (e.g., Cs...

<ol>
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B., Messer, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effect+of+composition+of+experimental+solutions+on+neuronal+survival+during+rat+brain+slicing.">Effect of composition of experimental solutions on neuronal survival during rat brain slicing.</a> Exp Neurol. 131 (1), 133-143 (1995).</li><li>Tanaka, Y., Tanaka, Y., Furuta, T., Yanagawa, Y., Kaneko, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+effects+of+cutting+solutions+on+the+viability+of+GABAergic+interneurons+in+cerebral+cortical+slices+of+adult+mice.">The effects of cutting solutions on the viability of GABAergic interneurons in cerebral cortical slices of adult mice.</a> J Neurosci Methods. 171 (1), 118-125 (2008).</li><li>Ye, J. H., Zhang, J., Xiao, C., Kong, J. 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None of the authors have competing interests or conflicting interests.

This protocol describes the basic procedure for performing whole-cell patch-clamp experiments on neurons in brain slices. However, the complexity, potential and sensitivity of this technique cannot be fully described in this article. Here, we have tried to delineate the most basic steps and underscore important parameters that must be controlled for achieving successful and rigorous whole-cell recordings. For further theoretical learning, many books and articles have been published on both whole-cell patch-clamp recordin...

The patch-clamp technique, an electrophysiological technique that has been developed in the late 1970s1,2, is a primary tool for studying single or multiple ion channel functions in live tissue. Among the different patch configurations that can be achieved, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings allow the study of the electrical behavior of a substantial part of the neuron. Classically, this technique is performed in vitro either on brain slices, freshly dissociated neurons, or on cell culture models3. When performed on neurons in brain slices, this technique presents several advantages. In particular: (i) neurons are recorded in relatively preserved brain circuits that to some extent, and compared to cell culture preparations, provide an environment that is physiologically relevant3. This allows capturing early, or even monitoring in real time, cellular and molecular events that are triggered by any type of acute pharmacological manipulations &#8212; a temporal resolution that cannot be achieved using classical in vivo conditions; (ii) capability to visually identify brain regions in brain slices allows high regional specificity3 both for the brain region studied and for specific neurons when they express fluorescent markers; (iii) access to the intracellular space of the cell by opening a significant portion of the plasma membrane (in contrast to puncturing the membrane with a sharp micropipette for intracellular recordings)4. In turn, this allows the content or concentration of specific ions composing the internal solution to be modified so molecular targets or cellular mechanisms can be studied under different conditions. For example, upon establishing whole-cell configuration, any specific pharmacological agent (e.g., antagonists) that one can add to the recording micropipette (patch pipette) solution will directly diffuse into the cytoplasm and act on its putative intracellular targets without altering the target function in neighboring cells. Additionally, compared to sharp micropipette recording, the large opening at the tip of the patch clamp electrode provides lower resistance, less competing noise, and thus better electrical access to the inside of the cell4. However, note that the large opening at the pipette tip may lead to cell dialysis, and thereby the loss of intracellular molecular machinery that may be critical for the expression of the biological phenomena that are under study5,6. In this case, sharp electrode recordings may be more suitable. This type of recordings requires micropipettes with a pore that is much smaller than those used for whole-cell recordings, thereby preventing most of the ion exchange between intracellular space and the internal pipette solution.
Any form of experience (acute or chronic), including learning7-10, exposure to drugs of abuse11,12, stress13,14, etc., can alter various aspects of neuronal function in specific brain regions. Because these alterations often require time to develop (hours to days), whole-cell recordings in brain slices from animals that have undergone a specific experience allow researchers to identify these changes. Basically, many (if not all) components that participate in neuronal functions (e.g., ligand-activated ion channels, voltage-gated ion channels, neurotransmitter transporters), and thereby brain circuit activity and behavior, can be altered by experience (experience-dependent plasticity)10,15-17. At the neuronal level, brain circuit activity emerges from constant interactions between synaptic (e.g., glutamate transmission) and intrinsic cellular excitability factors (e.g., axosomato-dendritic ion channels: sodium, Na+; potassium, K+; and calcium, Ca2+). Under specific conditions using whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiological techniques, signal alterations originating specifically from changes in synaptic vs. intrinsic excitability can be isolated.
In most cases, synaptic excitability is assessed using the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique. This recording mode allows the measurement of ion currents [e.g., mediated by &#945;-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPA receptors) and N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid receptors (NMDA receptors)] through the neuronal plasma membrane while holding the membrane potential at a set voltage. Here, experimenters use internal micropipette solutions that contain cesium (Cs+), a broad blocker of K+ channels (key intrinsic excitability factors). Upon establishment of whole-cell configuration, the diffusion of Cs+ in intracellular space will block K+ channels, and thereby will allow both a relatively efficient space-clamp and prevent influence of intrinsic excitability factors on other measurements. Space-clamp issues, i.e., the difficulty to voltage-clamp the whole cell, arise when recording irregular shaped cells (e.g., neurons), and particularly neurons with a vast and complex dendritic arbor18,19. Because somatic voltage clamp poorly controls voltage in the dendritic tree of neurons, various aspects of dendritic electrical signals under study are distorted in a dendritic distance-dependent manner. Combined with pharmacological tools such as picrotoxin (gamma-Aminobutyric acid, GABAA receptor antagonist) or kynurenic acid (broad blocker of glutamate receptors) dissolved in the extracellular solution (artificial cerebro-spinal fluid, ACSF), this technique allows the measurement of glutamate receptor- and GABAAR-mediated currents respectively.
In contrast, intrinsic excitability is usually assessed in current-clamp recording mode. As opposed to voltage-clamp recording, this recording mode allows the measurement of variations in membrane potentials induced by ion currents flowing through the neuronal plasma membrane. Typically, alteration in intrinsic excitability is assessed through changes in the capability for neurons to generate action potentials, which requires both Na+ and K+ channels. Therefore, when performing current-clamp recordings, micropipettes are filled with an internal solution that contains K+ instead of Cs+. Combined with pharmacological agents that block glutamate and GABAA receptor-mediated currents dissolved in the ACSF, this experimental design allows the measurement of the contribution of intrinsic factors (e.g., K+ channels) to neuronal firing without being contaminated by potential changes in synaptic excitability factors.
This article will describe the basic necessary procedural steps to (i) prepare healthy brain slices; (ii) achieve whole-cell configuration, and (iii) monitor basic parameters to assess synaptic and intrinsic excitability.

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	</colgroup>
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:215px;">Isolated pulse stimulus generator</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">A.M.P.I</td>
			<td style="width:139px;">Master-8</td>
			<td style="width:155px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Isolation unit (ISO-Flex)</td>
			<td>A.M.P.I</td>
			<td>ISO-Flex</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Computer controlled Amplifier&#160;</td>
			<td>Molecular Devices</td>
			<td>Multiclamp 700B</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Digital Acquisition system</td>
			<td>Molecular Devices</td>
			<td>Digidata 1500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Microscope</td>
			<td>Olympus</td>
			<td>BX-51</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Micromanipulator</td>
			<td>Sutter Instruments</td>
			<td>MPC-200</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Chamber and in-line Heater</td>
			<td>Warner Instruments</td>
			<td>TC-344B</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Vibratome Slicer</td>
			<td>Leica&#160;</td>
			<td>VT1000 S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Micropipette Puller</td>
			<td>Narishige</td>
			<td>PC-10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Imaging Camera</td>
			<td>Q Imaging</td>
			<td>QIClick-F-M-12</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Narishige pipette puller PC-10</td>
			<td>Narishige</td>
			<td>PC-10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Glass capillaries</td>
			<td>WPI</td>
			<td>TW150F-3</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Slice hold-down (harp)</td>
			<td>Warner Instruments</td>
			<td>64-0255</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Slice Chamber</td>
			<td>Warner Instruments</td>
			<td>RC-26</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Nonmetallic syringe needle</td>
			<td>World Precision Instruments</td>
			<td>MF28G67-5</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Syringe filters</td>
			<td>Nalgene</td>
			<td>176-0045</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Glue Gun</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Home Depot</td>
			<td style="width:139px;">various</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Gas dispersion tube</td>
			<td>Ace Glass Inc.</td>
			<td>various</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Decapitation scissors</td>
			<td>Home Depot</td>
			<td>100649198</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Scalpel Handle #3</td>
			<td>World Precision Instruments</td>
			<td>500236</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Small straight sharp tips scissors</td>
			<td>World Precision Instruments</td>
			<td>14218</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Vessel canulation forceps&#160;</td>
			<td>World Precision Instruments</td>
			<td>500453</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Curved hemostatic forceps</td>
			<td>World Precision Instruments</td>
			<td>501288</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Economy Tweezers #3</td>
			<td>World Precision Instruments</td>
			<td>501976-6</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Spatula</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>14357Q</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Scooping spatula</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>14-357Q</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Petri dish</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>08-747B</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Filter paper</td>
			<td>Lab Depot</td>
			<td>CFP1-110</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:215px;">Name of Material/ Equipment</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Company</td>
			<td style="width:139px;">Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Solutions</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:215px;"></td>
			<td style="width:183px;"></td>
			<td style="width:139px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td colspan="3" height="21" style="height:21px;">Cs-Gluconate internal solution (pH 7.2&#8211;7.3, 280&#8211;290 mOsm)</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">D-gluconic acid 50%&#160;</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich/various</td>
			<td>G1951</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Cesium-OH (CsOH) 50%&#160;</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich/various</td>
			<td>232041</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">NaCl, 2.8 mM</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich/various</td>
			<td>S7653</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">HEPES, 20 mM</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich/various</td>
			<td>H3375</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">EGTA, 0.4 mM</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich/various</td>
			<td>E4378</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">tetraethylammonium-Cl, 5 mM</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich/various</td>
			<td>T2265</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Na2GTP, 0.3 mM</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich/various</td>
			<td>G8877</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">MgATP, 2 mM</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich/various</td>
			<td>A9187</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:215px;">Name of Material/ Equipment</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Company</td>
			<td style="width:139px;">Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td colspan="3" height="21" style="height:21px;">K-Gluconate internal solution (pH 7.2&#8211;7.3, 280&#8211;290 mOsm)</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">K D-gluconate, 120 mM</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich/various</td>
			<td>G4500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">KCl, 20 mM</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich/various</td>
			<td>P3911</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">HEPES, 10 mM</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich/various</td>
			<td>H3375</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">EGTA, 0.2 mM</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich/various</td>
			<td>E4378</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">MgCl2</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich/various</td>
			<td>M8266</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Na2GTP, 0.3 mM</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich/various</td>
			<td>G8877</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">MgATP, 2 mM</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich/various</td>
			<td>A9187</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:215px;">Name of Material/ Equipment</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Company</td>
			<td style="width:139px;">Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td colspan="3" height="21" style="height:21px;">Standard artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF, osmolarity &#8776; 300-310 mOsm)</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">KCl, 2.5 mM</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich/various</td>
			<td>P3911</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">NaCl, 119 mM</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich/various</td>
			<td>S7653</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">NaH2PO4-H20, 1 mM</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich/various</td>
			<td>S9638</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">NaHCO3, 26.2 mM</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich/various</td>
			<td>S8875</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Glucose, 11 mM</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich/various</td>
			<td>G8270</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">MgSO4-7H2O, 1.3 mM</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich/various</td>
			<td>230391</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">CaCl2-2H20, 2.5 mM</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich/various</td>
			<td>C3881</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:215px;">Name of Material/ Equipment</td>
			<td style="width:183px;">Company</td>
			<td style="width:139px;">Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td colspan="2" height="21" style="height:21px;">Additional compounds used for solutions preparation</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">KOH</td>
			<td>various</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Kynurenic acid</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich/various</td>
			<td style="width:139px;">K3375</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in brain slices

Whole-cell patch-clamp recording is an electrophysiological technique that allows the study of the&#160;electrical properties of a substantial part of the neuron. In this configuration, the micropipette is in tight contact with the cell membrane, which prevents current leakage and thereby provides more accurate ionic current measurements than the previously used intracellular sharp electrode recording method. Classically, whole-cell recording can be performed on neurons in various types of preparations, including cell culture models, dissociated neurons, neurons in brain slices, and in intact anesthetized or awake animals. In summary, this technique has immensely contributed to the understanding of passive and active biophysical properties of excitable cells. A major advantage of this technique is that it provides information on how specific manipulations (e.g., pharmacological, experimenter-induced plasticity) may alter specific neuronal functions or channels in real-time. Additionally, significant opening of the plasma membrane allows the internal pipette solution to freely diffuse into the cytoplasm, providing means for introducing drugs, e.g., agonists or antagonists of specific intracellular proteins, and manipulating these targets without altering their functions in neighboring cells. This article will focus on whole-cell recording performed on neurons in brain slices,&#160;a preparation that has the advantage of recording neurons in relatively well preserved brain circuits, i.e., in a physiologically relevant context. In particular,&#160;when combined with appropriate pharmacology, this technique is a powerful tool allowing identification of specific neuroadaptations that occurred following any type of experiences, such as learning, exposure to drugs of abuse, and stress. In summary, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in brain slices provide means to measure in ex vivo preparation long-lasting changes in neuronal functions that have developed in intact awake animals.

Temperature, a factor that is easily controlled by the experimenter, influences the biophysical properties of ion channels and receptors, and thereby the waveform of post-synaptic currents (PSCs) (EPSC and IPSCs) and the capability of neurons to elicit spikes. Figure 3 and Figure 4 show the effect of temperature on neuronal firing and the slope of evoked EPSCs (eEPSCs) respectively. The firing pattern (Figure 3) (i.e., latency to...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Whole-cell Patch-clamp Recordings in Brain Slices at JoVE.com

Whole-cell Patch-clamp Recordings in Brain Slices

This protocol describes basic procedural steps for performing whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. This technique allows the study of&#160;the electrical behavior of neurons, and when performed in brain slices, allows the assessment of various neuronal functions from neurons that are still integrated in relatively well preserved brain circuits.

Whole-cell patch-clamp recording is an electrophysiological technique that allows the study of the&#160;electrical properties of a substantial part of the ...

The overall goal of this procedure is to describe how to perform whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in freshly dissected brain slices. This method can help answer key questions in the field of neuroscience, such has how experimental control manipulations alter the activity of specific neurons in specific brain regions. The main advantage of this technique is that it provides the medium to identify an X vivo preparation long lasting changes in neuron functions that have developed in intact awake animals.Though this method can provide insight into neuronal functions in brain slices, it can also be applied to other systems, such as cells in culture and neurons in vivo. Demonstrating the procedure will be Francisco Garcia-Oscos, a student from my lab. To begin this procedure, using a plastic trim-tipped transfer pipette, gently draw up one brain slice from the recovery chamber.Place the transfer pipette in the recording chamber, and gently squeeze the slice out of the pipette on to the cover slip lining at the bottom of the chamber. Next, using the microscope 4x objective, position the slice so that the desired area is placed exactly in the center of the recording chamber. After the desired position has been achieved, secure the brain slice position with the slice hold down, also known as a harp.After that, switch to the 40x objective, and lower the lens gently until it contacts the ACSF in the chamber. Then, use the fine adjustment wheel to bring the tissue into focus. When the focus is at tissue level, observe the cells in the targeted region.Now, look for a target cell. Mark it on the computer screen in order to help guide the recording micropipette. Raise the objective lens to allow for sufficient space for the placement of the recording micropipette.In this step using a one milliliter syringe, a non-metallic microsyringe needle, and a dedicated filter, fill a micropipette with the internal solution prepared in advance. Make sure there are no air bubbles in the micropipette. Then place the micropipette in an electrode holder, so the solution comes in contact with the silver chloride coated wire electrode.Tighten the pipette cap, so that the cone washer forms a seal around the micropipette. Next, apply positive pressure with the air filled syringe connected to the pipette holder before immersing he micropipette in the ACSF to prevent debris from entering it. Using the micro-manipulator, guide the pipette down to the chamber so that it is roughly under the center of the immersed objective.While moving the micropipette with the micro-manipulator at medium to high speed, locate the micropipette on the computer screen, and guide the micropipette toward the location of the cell on the XY axis. In the mean time, measure the micropipette resistance by applying a voltage step. Apply positive pressure in order to remove any air bubbles or other foreign objects blocking the micropipette.After clearing the micropipette, perform a voltage offset to reduce pipette current to zero. Using the fine focus wheel of the microscope, start focusing down while lowering the micropipette gradually. Always focus down first and then lower the micropipette to the plane of focus to ensure that the micropipette tip does not abruptly penetrate into the slice.When the micropipette comes in contact with the surface of the slice, slow down the micro-manipulator speed to medium low mode. Gently apply light positive pressure to clear any debris on the path. Then approach the cell, either by alternating with the XYZ control knobs or by approaching diagonally where both XZ axis are changed with rotation of the Z-axis knob.When the micropipette is close enough to the cell, a dimple will appear on the cell surface. Now apply a weak and brief suction through the tube that is connected to the pipette holder suction tube in order to create a seal. While a giga-seal is forming, use the computer controlled amplifier commander to bring the cells holding potential to the physiological resting potential in order to prevent sudden changes, once the membrane is ruptured.After the giga-seal has formed, compensate for the fast or slow capasitons. Here it is very important that the suction applied is not too strong. Otherwise the membrane may rupture before establishing the seal.If the seal remains stable and above one gigaom, apply a brief and strong suction to rupture the plasma membrane. The suction must be brief and stronger than the pressure applied when establishing a seal. In order to properly rupture the membrane, and achieve a stable whole-cell configuration.Switching to cell mode in the membrane test, view different parameters of the cell, such as input resistance, series resistance, and membrane capacitons. After achieving the whole-cell configuration, continue to monitor these parameters during recording. Shown here, is an example of the evoked EPSCs slope from a single nucleus accumbens shell MSN.Increasing the temperature from 24 to 28 and to 32 degrees Celsius, increases the slope of evoked EPSCs. Here the evoked EPSCs amplitude is assessed in the voltage clamp mode at minus 80 millivolts. When series resistance increased, the amplitude of evoked EPSCS decreases.And here, is a example of the traces from two neurons showing the effect of input resistance on the neuron capability to generate spikes. Neurons are current clamped and held at minus 80 millivolts. When input resistance increases, the number of action potentials increases as well.While attempting this procedure, it's important to remember that generating healthy brain slices is critical. It is also important to monitor the parameters that may influence the electrical signal waveform, such as the series resistance, input resistance, and the temperature. After watching this video, you should have a good understanding of the basic aspect of whole-cell recording technique in brain slices.

whole-cell-patch-clamp-recordings-in-brain-slices

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

58.0K ビュー.  University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. The overall goal of this procedure is to describe how to perform whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in freshly dissected brain slices. This method can help answer key questions in the field of neuroscience, such has how experimental control manipulations alter the activity of specific neurons in specific brain regions. The main advantage of this technique is that it provides the medium to identify an X vivo preparation long lasting changes in neuron functions that have developed in intact awak...