Name: electrophysiology on isolated brainstem-spinal cord preparations from newborn rodents allows neural respiratory network output recording
Uploaded: 2015-11-19T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Electrophysiology on Isolated Brainstem-spinal Cord Preparations from Newborn Rodents Allows Neural Respiratory Network Output Recording at JoVE.com

The authors sincerely thank the Canadian Institutes of Health Research MOP 130258 and the Star Foundation for Children&#8217;s Health Research, along with the Molly Towell Foundation, for the provision of the research facility and financial support. The authors also sincerely thank Dr. Kinkead Richard for manuscript proofreading and advice.

This method required the use of animal subjects, allowed by Laval University Animal Ethics Committee (protocol # 2012-170).
1. Setup and Preparation

<ol>
	<li>Solutions
	<ol>
		<li>Prepare aCSF stock solutions according to the following recipes 7,17. Other recipes with concentration variations are available in the literature. Store stock solutions at 4 &#176;C for up to one month.
		<ol>
			<li>Salt solution: add 75.39 g of NaCl (129 mM final); 2.5 g of KCl (3.35 mM final)...

<ol>
	<li>Feldman, J. L., Del Negro, ., A, C., Gray, P. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Understanding+the+rhythm+of+breathing:+so+near,+yet+so+far.">Understanding the rhythm of breathing: so near, yet so far.</a> Annu Rev Physiol. 75, 423-452 (2013).</li><li>Taylor, A. C., Kollros, J. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stages+in+the+normal+development+of+Rana+pipiens+larvae.">Stages in the normal development of Rana pipiens larvae.</a> Anat Rec (Hoboken). 94, 7-13 (1946).</li><li>Takeda, R., Remmers, J. E., Baker, J. P., Madden, K. P., Farber, J. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Postsynaptic+potentials+of+bulbar+respiratory+neurons+of+the+turtle.">Postsynaptic potentials of bulbar respiratory neurons of the turtle.</a> Respir Physiol. 64, 149-160 (1986).</li><li>Bouverot, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Control+of+breathing+in+birds+compared+with+mammals.">Control of breathing in birds compared with mammals.</a> Physiol Rev. 58, 604-655 (1978).</li><li>Adrian, E. D., Buytendijk, F. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Potential+changes+in+the+isolated+brain+stem+of+the+goldfish.">Potential changes in the isolated brain stem of the goldfish.</a> J Physiol. 71, 121-135 (1931).</li><li>Suzue, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Respiratory+rhythm+generation+in+the+in+vitro+brain+stem-spinal+cord+preparation+of+the+neonatal+rat.">Respiratory rhythm generation in the in vitro brain stem-spinal cord preparation of the neonatal rat.</a> J Physiol. 354, 173-183 (1984).</li><li>Fournier, S., 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=Gestational+stress+promotes+pathological+apneas+and+sex-specific+disruption+of+respiratory+control+development+in+newborn+rat.">Gestational stress promotes pathological apneas and sex-specific disruption of respiratory control development in newborn rat.</a> J Neurosci. 33, 563-573 (2013).</li><li>Caravagna, C., Kinkead, R., Soliz, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Post-natal+hypoxic+activity+of+the+central+respiratory+command+is+improved+in+transgenic+mice+overexpressing+Epo+in+the+brain.">Post-natal hypoxic activity of the central respiratory command is improved in transgenic mice overexpressing Epo in the brain.</a> Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 200, 64-71 (2014).</li><li>Onimaru, H., Arata, A., Homma, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neuronal+mechanisms+of+respiratory+rhythm+generation:+an+approach+using+in+vitro+preparation.">Neuronal mechanisms of respiratory rhythm generation: an approach using in vitro preparation.</a> Jpn J Physiol. 47, 385-403 (1997).</li><li>Onimaru, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Studies+of+the+respiratory+center+using+isolated+brainstem-spinal+cord+preparations.">Studies of the respiratory center using isolated brainstem-spinal cord preparations.</a> Neurosci Res. 21, 183-190 (1995).</li><li>Ballanyi, K., Onimaru, H., Homma, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Respiratory+network+function+in+the+isolated+brainstem-spinal+cord+of+newborn+rats.">Respiratory network function in the isolated brainstem-spinal cord of newborn rats.</a> Prog Neurobiol. 59, 583-634 (1999).</li><li>Viemari, J. C., Burnet, H., Bevengut, M., Hilaire, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Perinatal+maturation+of+the+mouse+respiratory+rhythm-generator:+in+vivo+and+in+vitro+studies.">Perinatal maturation of the mouse respiratory rhythm-generator: in vivo and in vitro studies.</a> Eur J Neurosci. 17, 1233-1244 (2003).</li><li>Rybak, I. A., Abdala, A. P., Markin, S. N., Paton, J. F., Smith, J. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spatial+organization+and+state-dependent+mechanisms+for+respiratory+rhythm+and+pattern+generation.">Spatial organization and state-dependent mechanisms for respiratory rhythm and pattern generation.</a> Prog Brain Res. , 165-201 (2007).</li><li>Hilaire, G., Viemari, J. C., Coulon, P., Simonneau, M., Bevengut, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Modulation+of+the+respiratory+rhythm+generator+by+the+pontine+noradrenergic+A5+and+A6+groups+in+rodents.">Modulation of the respiratory rhythm generator by the pontine noradrenergic A5 and A6 groups in rodents.</a> Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 143, 187-197 (2004).</li><li>Okada, Y., Kawai, A., Muckenhoff, K., Scheid, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Role+of+the+pons+in+hypoxic+respiratory+depression+in+the+neonatal+rat.">Role of the pons in hypoxic respiratory depression in the neonatal rat.</a> Respir Physiol. 111, 55-63 (1998).</li><li>Voituron, N., Frugiere, A., Gros, F., Macron, J. M., Bodineau, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Diencephalic+and+mesencephalic+influences+on+ponto-medullary+respiratory+control+in+normoxic+and+hypoxic+conditions:+an+in+vitro+study+on+central+nervous+system+preparations+from+newborn+rat.">Diencephalic and mesencephalic influences on ponto-medullary respiratory control in normoxic and hypoxic conditions: an in vitro study on central nervous system preparations from newborn rat.</a> Neuroscience. 132, 843-854 (2005).</li><li>Somjen, G. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ion+regulation+in+the+brain:+implications+for+pathophysiology.">Ion regulation in the brain: implications for pathophysiology.</a> Neuroscientist. 8, 254-267 (2002).</li><li>Danneman, P. J., Mandrell, T. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evaluation+of+five+agents/methods+for+anesthesia+of+neonatal+rats.">Evaluation of five agents/methods for anesthesia of neonatal rats.</a> Lab Anim Sci. 47, 386-395 (1997).</li><li>Formenti, A., Zocchi, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Error+signals+as+powerful+stimuli+for+the+operant+conditioning-like+process+of+the+fictive+respiratory+output+in+a+brainstem-spinal+cord+preparation+from+rats.">Error signals as powerful stimuli for the operant conditioning-like process of the fictive respiratory output in a brainstem-spinal cord preparation from rats.</a> Behav Brain Res. 272, 8-15 (2014).</li><li>Bierman, A. M., Tankersley, C. G., Wilson, C. G., Chavez-Valdez, R., Gauda, E. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Perinatal+hyperoxic+exposure+reconfigures+the+central+respiratory+network+contributing+to+intolerance+to+anoxia+in+newborn+rat+pups.">Perinatal hyperoxic exposure reconfigures the central respiratory network contributing to intolerance to anoxia in newborn rat pups.</a> J App Physiol. 116, 47-53 (2014).</li><li>Umezawa, 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=Orexin-B+antagonized+respiratory+depression+induced+by+sevoflurane,+propofol,+and+remifentanil+in+isolated+brainstem-spinal+cords+of+neonatal+rats.">Orexin-B antagonized respiratory depression induced by sevoflurane, propofol, and remifentanil in isolated brainstem-spinal cords of neonatal rats.</a> Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 205, 61-65 (2015).</li><li>Ruangkittisakul, A., Secchia, L., Bornes, T. D., Palathinkal, D. M., Ballanyi, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dependence+on+extracellular+Ca2+/K++antagonism+of+inspiratory+centre+rhythms+in+slices+and+en+bloc+preparations+of+newborn+rat+brainstem.">Dependence on extracellular Ca2+/K+ antagonism of inspiratory centre rhythms in slices and en bloc preparations of newborn rat brainstem.</a> J Physiol. 584, 489-508 (2007).</li><li>Cayetanot, F., Bodineau, L., Frugiere, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=5-HT+acting+on+5-HT(1/2)+receptors+does+not+participate+in+the+in+vitro+hypoxic+respiratory+depression.">5-HT acting on 5-HT(1/2) receptors does not participate in the in vitro hypoxic respiratory depression.</a> Neurosci Res. 41, 71-78 (2001).</li><li>Onimaru, H., Homma, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Whole+cell+recordings+from+respiratory+neurons+in+the+medulla+of+brainstem-spinal+cord+preparations+isolated+from+newborn+rats.">Whole cell recordings from respiratory neurons in the medulla of brainstem-spinal cord preparations isolated from newborn rats.</a> Pflugers Archiv : European journal of physiology. 420, 399-406 (1992).</li><li>Paton, J. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rhythmic+bursting+of+pre-+and+post-inspiratory+neurones+during+central+apnoea+in+mature+mice.">Rhythmic bursting of pre- and post-inspiratory neurones during central apnoea in mature mice.</a> J Physiol. 502 (Pt 3), 623-639 (1997).</li><li>Morin-Surun, M. P., Boudinot, E., Kato, F., Foutz, A. S., Denavit-Saubie, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Involvement+of+NMDA+receptors+in+the+respiratory+phase+transition+is+different+in+the+adult+guinea+pig+in+vivo+and+in+the+isolated+brain+stem+preparation.">Involvement of NMDA receptors in the respiratory phase transition is different in the adult guinea pig in vivo and in the isolated brain stem preparation.</a> J Neurophysiol. 74, 770-778 (1995).</li><li>Otsuka, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effects+of+volatile+anesthetics+on+respiratory+activity+and+chemosensitivity+in+the+isolated+brainstem-spinal+cord+of+the+newborn+rat.">Effects of volatile anesthetics on respiratory activity and chemosensitivity in the isolated brainstem-spinal cord of the newborn rat.</a> Hokkaido Igaku Zasshi. 73, 117-136 (1998).</li><li>Gestreau, 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=Task2+potassium+channels+set+central+respiratory+CO2+and+O2+sensitivity.">Task2 potassium channels set central respiratory CO2 and O2 sensitivity.</a> PNAS. 107, 2325-2330 (2010).</li><li>Caravagna, C., Soliz, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=PI3K+and+MEK+molecular+pathways+are+involved+in+the+erythropoietin-mediated+regulation+of+the+central+respiratory+command.">PI3K and MEK molecular pathways are involved in the erythropoietin-mediated regulation of the central respiratory command.</a> Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 206C, 36-40 (2014).</li><li>Tree, K., Caravagna, C., Hilaire, G., Peyronnet, J., Cayetanot, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Anandamide+centrally+depresses+the+respiratory+rhythm+generator+of+neonatal+mice.">Anandamide centrally depresses the respiratory rhythm generator of neonatal mice.</a> Neuroscience. 170, 1098-1109 (2010).</li><li>Arata, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Respiratory+activity+of+the+neonatal+dorsolateral+pons+in+vitro.">Respiratory activity of the neonatal dorsolateral pons in vitro.</a> Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 168, 144-152 (2009).</li><li>Onimaru, H., Homma, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+novel+functional+neuron+group+for+respiratory+rhythm+generation+in+the+ventral+medulla.">A novel functional neuron group for respiratory rhythm generation in the ventral medulla.</a> J Neurosci. 23, 1478-1486 (2003).</li><li>St-John, W. M., Paton, J. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Characterizations+of+eupnea,+apneusis+and+gasping+in+a+perfused+rat+preparation.">Characterizations of eupnea, apneusis and gasping in a perfused rat preparation.</a> Respir Physiol. 123, 201-213 (2000).</li></ol>

Accurate quantification of respiratory activity can be challenging. Indeed, breathing is a function that can be both automatic and voluntary, and that is modulated according to the environment, the body&#8217;s needs, the emotional state and the behavior. The advantage of this technique is the isolation of the neural elements responsible for producing the respiratory command. Thus, electrophysiological recordings of brainstem-spinal cord preparations and plethysmography are complementary techniques to study the whole neu...

Breathing is a complex and vital activity controlled by the brain, allowing dioxygen (O2) uptake and carbon dioxide (CO2) elimination. The central respiratory drive is generated by a complex network located in the brainstem in both mammals 1, amphibians 2, reptiles 3, birds 4 and fishes 5. Even if the study of breathing can be processed in vivo, precise mechanistic investigations require direct access to the respiratory control network. To this end, Adrian and Buytendijk developed a reduced goldfish preparation, in which electrodes placed on the brainstem surface record the generated rhythm associated with gill ventilation 5. This approach was subsequently adapted by Suzue in 1984 6 for use in newborn rodents. The advent of this preparation has led to significant advances in respiratory neurobiology. Since it is relatively simple, the technique presented here is amenable to a broad range of basic investigations of rhythmic motor behaviors and their origins in newborn rodents.
The overall goal of this method is to record the neural correlate of inspiratory activity, a respiratory-like rhythm called fictive breathing, produced by the respiratory network. This method can be employed in a wide range of research objectives, targeting inspiratory responses to respiratory variations or pharmacology in both wild type 7 and transgenic 8 animals. Given that experiments are performed at a low temperature, without sensory afferents, and under conditions where the concentrations of glucose and O2 within the aCSF are high, questions have been raised regarding the physiological relevance of the signal recorded. While there are clear differences between in vivo and in vitro conditions (e.g., the frequency of inspiratory bursts) the fact remains that the presence of the core elements of the respiratory network 6 make it possible to study a robust rhythm associated to a vital homeostatic function 9,10.
The rationale behind the development and the use of this technique is to facilitate direct access to the brainstem elements of the respiratory network, which are hardly accessible in vivo, especially in newborns. The brainstem is placed under strictly controlled conditions: the recorded rhythm is not modulated by peripheral afferent inputs from the lungs or the carotid bodies, allowing the study to focus on the central respiratory drive itself 11. Thus, this access is utilized to apply stimuli and record the output signal. In contrast to plethysmography recordings, the respiratory rhythm is modulated by all of its components throughout the body (e.g., lung distension, peripheral chemosensors), making it difficult to apply precise stimuli.
In a newborn rat, the protocol consists of recording the fourth ventral root signal on an isolated brainstem and a truncated spinal cord, maintained in artificial cerebro-spinal fluid (aCSF). The rhythm generated by brainstem-spinal cord preparations is composed of individual slow bursts that are linked to the inspiratory signal 9. Isolated brainstem-spinal cord preparations are easily recordable in rats from post-natal day 0 to 4 (P0 - P4) 7. This approach is commonly used to evaluate the hypoxic response of the respiratory network, and also the response to hypercapnia, acidosis or drugs. An acute hypoxia protocol is presented here. This stimulation is obtained by withdrawal of O2 in the aCSF; this approach is commonly used to assess the tolerance and responsiveness to hypoxic insults. The protocol induces a rhythm depression from the first minute&#160;until the end of the hypoxia exposure (Figure 1)12. This depression is reversed during post-hypoxic recovery 12. Concerning the experimental design, it is important to notice that the pons, located at the rostral part of the brainstem, has an inhibitory action on the rhythm generator 8. Thus, preparations of full brainstem and rostral spinal cord display a lower rhythm. Inclusion of the pons in the isolated sample for the recording is determined according to the goal of the experiment 13; the study of pontine influence on the medulla oblongata network would require recordings with and without the pons to compare the results 14. Moreover, one of the advantages of this technique is the possibility of extending the rostral part of the preparation to include mesencephalic and/or diencephalic regions 15,16, making it possible to assess the effect of these regions on the ponto-medullary respiratory network.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Sylgard</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>761036-5EA</td>
			<td>Use under hood</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaCl</td>
			<td>Bioshop</td>
			<td>SOD002</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>KCl</td>
			<td>Bioshop</td>
			<td>POC888</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CaCl2</td>
			<td>Bioshop</td>
			<td>CCL444</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MgCl2</td>
			<td>Bioshop</td>
			<td>MAG510</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaHCO3</td>
			<td>Bioshop</td>
			<td>SOB999</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaH2PO4</td>
			<td>Bioshop</td>
			<td>SPM306</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>D-glucose</td>
			<td>Bioshop</td>
			<td>GLU501</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Carbogen</td>
			<td>Linde</td>
			<td>343-02-0006&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Temperature Controller</td>
			<td>Warner Instruments, Hamden, CT, USA</td>
			<td>TC-324B</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Suction electrode</td>
			<td>A-M Systems, Everett, WA, USA</td>
			<td>model 573000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Differential AC amplifier</td>
			<td>A-M Systems, Everett, WA, USA</td>
			<td>model 1700</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Moving averager</td>
			<td>CWE, Ardmore, PA, USA</td>
			<td>model MA-821</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Data acquisition system</td>
			<td>Dataq Instruments, Akron, OH, USA</td>
			<td>model DI-720</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>LabChart software</td>
			<td>ADInstruments, Colorado Springs, CO, USA</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Prism sofware</td>
			<td>Graphpad, La Jolla, CA, USA</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dissection chamber</td>
			<td>Plastic box (e.g. petri box) will do</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Recording chamber</td>
			<td>Home made</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Base</td>
			<td>Kanetec, Bensenville, IL, USA</td>
			<td>MB</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micromanipulator</td>
			<td>World Precision Instrument Inc, Sarasota, FL, USA</td>
			<td>KITE-R</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Base</td>
			<td>Kanetec, Bensenville, IL, USA</td>
			<td>MB</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Peristaltic pump</td>
			<td>Gilson, Middleton, WI, USA</td>
			<td>MINIPULS 3</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Faraday Cage</td>
			<td>Home made</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Computer</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

electrophysiology on isolated brainstem-spinal cord preparations from newborn rodents allows neural respiratory network output recording

While it is well known that the central respiratory drive is located in the brainstem, several aspects of its basic function, development, and response to stimuli remain to be fully understood. To overcome the difficulty of accessing the brainstem in the whole animal, isolation of the brainstem and part of the spinal cord is performed. This preparation is maintained in artificial cerebro-spinal fluid where gases, concentrations, and temperature are controlled and monitored. The output signal from the respiratory network is recorded by a suction electrode placed on the fourth ventral root. In this manner, stimuli can be directly applied onto the brainstem, and the effect can be recorded directly. The signal recorded is linked to the inspiratory signal sent to the diaphragm via the phrenic nerve, and can be described as bursts (around 8 bursts per minute). Analysis of these bursts (frequency, amplitude, length, and area under the curve) allows precise characterization of the stimulus effect on the respiratory network. The main limitation of this method is the viability of the preparation beyond the early post-natal stages. Thus, this method greatly focuses on the study of the whole network without the peripheral inputs in the newborn rat.

As mentioned in the introduction, one of the most important advantages of this technique is the direct access to the brainstem to apply various stimuli. As an example, hypoxia was applied here. Figure 1.A.B. displays a full protocol recording, with both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Figure 1.C.E. displays the rhythm recorded in normoxic conditions (i.e., aCSF bubbled with 95% O2 and 5% CO2 at 26 &#176;C). As previously demonstrated in th...

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Electrophysiology on Isolated Brainstem-spinal Cord Preparations from Newborn Rodents Allows Neural Respiratory Network Output Recording

The central respiratory drive is located in the brainstem. Spontaneous respiratory motor output from an isolated brainstem-spinal cord is recorded by placing an electrode on the fourth ventral root. This experimental approach is valuable for pharmacological investigations or the assessment of respiratory challenges and genetic manipulations on rhythmic motor behavior.

While it is well known that the central respiratory drive is located in the brainstem, several aspects of its basic function, development, and response to ...

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