Samuel L. Pfaff is a Professor in the Gene Expression Laboratories at The Salk Institute for biological Studies and an Investigator in the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. This work was supported by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. Joe Belcovson, Kent Schnoeker and Mike Sullivan in Multimedia Resources at the Salk Institute provided assistance with photography and editing.

1. Prepare artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF)1. We first prepare a 2L of a 10X stock of aCSF without magnesium or calcium. Reagents listed in millimolar. Catalog numbers refer to Sigma/Aldrich.
<table border="1" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr><td colspan="4">2 Liters 10X aCSF (without Mg or Ca)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Reagent</td><td>mM</td><td>g/2L</td><td>Catalog</td></tr>
<tr><td>KCl</td><td>40</td><td>5.96</td><td>P-9333</td></tr>
<tr><td>NaCl</td><td>1280</td><td>149.61</td><td>S-7653</td></tr>
<tr><td>NaHCO3</td><td>210</td><td>35.28</td><td>S-6297</td></tr>
<tr><td>NaH2PO4</td><td>5</td><td>1.38</td><td>S-9638</td></tr>
<tr><td>Glucose</td><td>300</td><td>108.12</td><td>D-9434</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Add distilled water to 2L</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
We will also prepare 1M solutions of MgSO4 and CaCl2 in 50mL water to allow for adjustments in molarity from experiment to experiment and to assure the calcium remains in solution.
<table border="1" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr><td colspan="4">1M Calcium and Magnesium Stocks</td></tr>
<tr><td>Reagent</td><td>M</td><td>g/50mL</td><td>Catalog</td></tr>
<tr><td>CaCl2</td><td>1</td><td>7.35</td><td>C-5080</td></tr>
<tr><td>MgSO4</td><td>1</td><td>12.33</td><td>M-5921</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The aCSF solution must be gassed with carbogen (95% O2/ 5% CO2) to lower the pH before adding calcium or the calcium will precipitate. 
<table border="1" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr><td colspan="2">1 Liter aCSF </td></tr>
<tr><td>Reagent</td><td>Volume</td></tr>
<tr><td>10X aCSF</td><td>100mL</td></tr>
<tr><td>1M CaCl2</td><td>1 mL (dissecting) 2mL (recording)</td></tr>
<tr><td>1M MgSO4</td><td>1 mL</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2">Add ~800 mL distilled water, gas with carbogen for 2 minutes before adding calcium</td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2">Add distilled water to 1L.</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
The pumps and tubing and dissecting dishes should be rinsed before and after use.
Dissection
While dissecting, 1mM calcium aCSF should be continuously gassed with carbogen. The aCSF can be siphoned from a bottle to the dissecting dish and pumped from the dissecting dish to the bottle or sent to waste. We use an elastomer (Sylgard, Dow Corning) coated dish to perform the dissection. 
The neonatal mouse is rapidly decapitated with sharp scissors and an incision made with scissors through the ventral thorax and abdomen. The animal is then eviscerated. The eviscerated mouse is rinsed with aCSF. The animal is then pinned to the dissecting dish with insect pins inserted through the forelimbs and at the base of the tail. 
The spinal column is removed by performing a ventral laminectomy. The spinal column is held with small forceps and one blade of small scissors is inserted immediately dorsal to the bony spinal column. The lamina is cut on one side and then the other while gently lifting the bony spinal column. This is carried out for the length of the spinal column. 
The spinal cord is removed by cutting along either side of the spinal cord to sever the spinal nerve roots and cut the meninges surrounding the spinal cord. We cut on the left and right sides, then we cut the meninges attached to the dorsal side of the spinal cord to free it. The isolated cord is then pinned to the dish near the aCSF inlet to assure good oxygenation if additional animals are dissected. 
The isolated spinal cord is then transferred to a recording dish using a small spoon or spatula. Here we perfuse the preparation with oxygenated 2mM calcium aCSF. The spinal cord is pinned to the elastomer coated dish and micromanipulators used to move extracellular, whole root suction electrodes near the roots. When the electrode tip is near the free root end, gentle suction is applied to draw the root into the suction electrode. This process may be repeated to record several roots simultaneously.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/1660/1660fig1.jpg" alt="Figure 1" /> Figure 1. Decapitation and Evisceration. A. Rapidly decapitate the mouse with sharp scissors. Greater or lesser contributions from the brain stem can be achieved depending on the level of cut. B. Place one blade of the scissors into the opening of the thoracic cavity created by the decapitation. Open the ventral thorax and abdomen to the base of the tail. Remove the viscera and rinse with aCSF. 
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/1660/1660fig2.jpg" alt="Figure 2" /> Figure 2. Removal of the Spinal Column. A. Insert the left blade of the scissors into the space between the spinal column and spinal cord to the right of the spinal cord and cut through the bones laying ventral to the cord. Then insert the right blade of the scissors into the space between the spinal column and spinal cord to the left of the spinal cord and cut. B. Repeat this process while applying gentle traction to the spinal column. Take care not to puncture the spinal cord by holding the scissors at a low angle. 
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/1660/1660fig3.jpg" alt="Figure 3" /> Figure 3. Removal of the Spinal Cord. A. Insert the left blade of the scissors into the space between the spinal cord and the bones to the right of the spinal cord and cut through the spinal roots and meninges laying lateral to the cord. Then insert the right blade of the scissors into the space between the spinal cord and the bones to the left of the spinal cord and cut through the spinal roots and meninges laying lateral to the cord. B. Finally, gently lift the rostral cord and cut the meninges connecting the dorsal cord to the laminae. Again take care not to puncture the spinal cord by holding the scissors at a low angle. Do not cut the roots too close to the spinal cord.

<ol>
	<li>Myers, C. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cholinergic+input+is+required+during+embryonic+development+to+mediate+proper+assembly+of+spinal+locomotor+circuits.">Cholinergic input is required during embryonic development to mediate proper assembly of spinal locomotor circuits.</a> Neuron. 46, 37-49 (2005).</li><li>Goulding, M., Pfaff, S. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Development+of+circuits+that+generate+simple+rhythmic+behaviors+in+vertebrates.">Development of circuits that generate simple rhythmic behaviors in vertebrates.</a> Curr Opin Neurobiol. 15 (1), 14-20 (2005).</li><li>Gallarda, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Segregation+of+axial+motor+and+sensory+pathways+via+heterotypic+trans-axonal+signaling.">Segregation of axial motor and sensory pathways via heterotypic trans-axonal signaling.</a> Science. 320, (2008).</li><li>Gosgnach, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=V1+spinal+neurons+regulate+the+speed+of+vertebrate+locomotor+outputs.">V1 spinal neurons regulate the speed of vertebrate locomotor outputs.</a> Nature. 440 (7081), 215-219 (2006).</li><li>Lanuza, G. M., Gosgnach, S., Pierani, A., Jessell, T. M., Goulding, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genetic+identification+of+spinal+interneurons+that+coordinate+left-right+locomotor+activity+necessary+for+walking+movements.">Genetic identification of spinal interneurons that coordinate left-right locomotor activity necessary for walking movements.</a> Neuron. 42 (3), 375-386 (2004).</li><li>Jiang, Z., Carlin, K. P., Brownstone, R. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=An+in+vitro+functionally+mature+mouse+spinal+cord+preparation+for+the+study+of+spinal+motor+networks.">An in vitro functionally mature mouse spinal cord preparation for the study of spinal motor networks.</a> Brain Res. 816 (2), 493-499 (1999).</li><li>Ziskind-Conhaim, L., Gao, B. X., Hinckley, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ethanol+dual+modulatory+actions+on+spontaneous+postsynaptic+currents+in+spinal+motoneurons.">Ethanol dual modulatory actions on spontaneous postsynaptic currents in spinal motoneurons.</a> J Neurophysiol. 89 (2), 806-813 (2003).</li><li>Tabak, J., Rinzel, J., O'Donovan, M. 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+role+of+activity-dependent+network+depression+in+the+expression+and+self-regulation+of+spontaneous+activity+in+the+developing+spinal+cord.">The role of activity-dependent network depression in the expression and self-regulation of spontaneous activity in the developing spinal cord.</a> J Neurosci. 21 (22), 8966-8978 (2001).</li><li>Chub, N., Mentis, G. Z., O'Donovan, M. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chloride-sensitive+MEQ+fluorescence+in+chick+embryo+motoneurons+following+manipulations+of+chloride+and+during+spontaneous+network+activity.">Chloride-sensitive MEQ fluorescence in chick embryo motoneurons following manipulations of chloride and during spontaneous network activity.</a> J Neurophysiol. 95 (1), 323-330 (2006).</li></ol>

ANIMAL CARE 
 
Experiments on animals were performed in accordance with the guidelines and regulations set forth by The Salk Institute for Biological Studies AIACUC.

The isolated neonatal spinal cord provides a tractable method of studying nervous system development1,2. Within the lumbar spinal cord of neonatal rodents, central pattern generating circuitry can produce fictive locomotion in the presence of neurotransmitters. This fictive locomotion consists of rhythmic increases in activity, bursts, that are produced at 0.2 to 0.5 Hz. These bursts are organized to produce left-right alternation along the length of the cord and flexor-extensor alternation (ipsilateral L2 relative to L5...

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		<div>
		<table border="1">
		<thead>
		<tr>
		<th>Material Name</th>
		<th>Type</th>
		<th>Company</th>
		<th>Catalogue Number</th>
		<th>Comment</th>
		</tr>
		</thead>
		<tbody>
		
<tr>
<td>KCl</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>P-9333</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>NaCl	</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>S-7653</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>NaHCO3</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>S-6297</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>NaH2PO4</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>S-9638</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Glucose</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>D-9434</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>CaCl2</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>C-5080</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>MgSO4</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>M-5921</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Large Scissors</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
<td>14070-12</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Forceps</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
<td>11050-10</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Fine Scissors</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
<td>15000-10</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Insect pins</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
<td>26002-10</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Sylgard 184 (Dow-Corning)</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>1L volumetric flask</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>100mL volumetric flask</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
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spinal cord electrophysiology

The neonatal mouse spinal cord is a model for studying the development of neural circuitries and locomotor movement. We demonstrate the spinal cord dissection and preparation of recording bath artificial cerebrospinal fluid used for locomotor studies. Once dissected, the spinal cord ventral nerve roots can be attached to a recording electrode to record the electrophysiologic signals of the central pattern generating circuitry within the lumbar cord.

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Spinal Cord Electrophysiology

A demonstration of the isolation of neonatal mouse spinal cord for electrophysiologic studies.

The neonatal mouse spinal cord is a model for studying the development of neural circuitries and locomotor movement. We demonstrate the spinal cord ...

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21.1K Views.  Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Gene Expression Laboratory. A demonstration of the isolation of neonatal mouse spinal cord for electrophysiologic studies.