Name: whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in brain slices
Uploaded: 2016-06-15T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Whole-cell Patch-clamp Recordings in Brain Slices at JoVE.com

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>
	<li>Neher, E., Sakmann, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Single-channel+currents+recorded+from+membrane+of+denervated+frog+muscle+fibres.">Single-channel currents recorded from membrane of denervated frog muscle fibres.</a> Nature. 260 (5554), 799-802 (1976).</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> Annu Rev Physiol. 46, 455-472 (1984).</li><li>Cahalan, M., 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:+an+overview.">Patch clamp techniques: an overview.</a> Methods Enzymol. 207, 3-14 (1992).</li><li>Staley, K. J., Otis, T. S., Mody, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Membrane+properties+of+dentate+gyrus+granule+cells:+comparison+of+sharp+microelectrode+and+whole-cell+recordings.">Membrane properties of dentate gyrus granule cells: comparison of sharp microelectrode and whole-cell recordings.</a> J Neurophysiol. 67 (5), 1346-1358 (1992).</li><li>Horn, R., Marty, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Muscarinic+activation+of+ionic+currents+measured+by+a+new+whole-cell+recording+method.">Muscarinic activation of ionic currents measured by a new whole-cell recording method.</a> J Gen Physiol. 92 (2), 145-159 (1988).</li><li>Pusch, M., 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=Rates+of+diffusional+exchange+between+small+cells+and+a+measuring+patch+pipette.">Rates of diffusional exchange between small cells and a measuring patch pipette.</a> Pflugers Arch. 411 (2), 204-211 (1988).</li><li>Kandel, E. R., Dudai, Y., Mayford, M. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+molecular+and+systems+biology+of+memory.">The molecular and systems biology of memory.</a> Cell. 157 (1), 163-186 (2014).</li><li>Kourrich, S., Bonci, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chapter+5:+Synaptic+and+Neural+plasticity.">Chapter 5: Synaptic and Neural plasticity.</a> Neurobiology of Mental Illness. 4th edn. , (2013).</li><li>Mozzachiodi, R., Byrne, J. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=More+than+synaptic+plasticity:+role+of+nonsynaptic+plasticity+in+learning+and+memory.">More than synaptic plasticity: role of nonsynaptic plasticity in learning and memory.</a> Trends Neurosci. 33 (1), 17-26 (2010).</li><li>Zhang, W., Linden, D. 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+other+side+of+the+engram:+experience-driven+changes+in+neuronal+intrinsic+excitability.">The other side of the engram: experience-driven changes in neuronal intrinsic excitability.</a> Nat Rev Neurosci. 4 (11), 885-900 (2003).</li><li>Kourrich, S., Calu, D. J., Bonci, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Intrinsic+plasticity:+an+emerging+player+in+addiction.">Intrinsic plasticity: an emerging player in addiction.</a> Nat Rev Neurosci. 16 (3), 173-184 (2015).</li><li>Luscher, C., Malenka, R. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Drug-evoked+synaptic+plasticity+in+addiction:+from+molecular+changes+to+circuit+remodeling.">Drug-evoked synaptic plasticity in addiction: from molecular changes to circuit remodeling.</a> Neuron. 69 (4), 650-663 (2011).</li><li>McEwen, B. S., Morrison, J. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+brain+on+stress:+vulnerability+and+plasticity+of+the+prefrontal+cortex+over+the+life+course.">The brain on stress: vulnerability and plasticity of the prefrontal cortex over the life course.</a> Neuron. 79 (1), 16-29 (2013).</li><li>Sandi, C., Haller, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stress+and+the+social+brain:+behavioural+effects+and+neurobiological+mechanisms.">Stress and the social brain: behavioural effects and neurobiological mechanisms.</a> Nat Rev Neurosci. 16 (5), 290-304 (2015).</li><li>Kim, S. J., Linden, D. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ubiquitous+plasticity+and+memory+storage.">Ubiquitous plasticity and memory storage.</a> Neuron. 56 (4), 582-592 (2007).</li><li>Ganguly, K., Poo, M. M. <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+neural+plasticity+from+bench+to+bedside.">Activity-dependent neural plasticity from bench to bedside.</a> Neuron. 80 (3), 729-741 (2013).</li><li>Kullmann, D. M., Moreau, A. W., Bakiri, Y., Nicholson, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Plasticity+of+inhibition.">Plasticity of inhibition.</a> Neuron. 75 (6), 951-962 (2012).</li><li>Bar-Yehuda, D., Korngreen, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Space-clamp+problems+when+voltage+clamping+neurons+expressing+voltage-gated+conductances.">Space-clamp problems when voltage clamping neurons expressing voltage-gated conductances.</a> J Neurophysiol. 99 (3), 1127-1136 (2008).</li><li>Williams, S. R., Mitchell, S. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Direct+measurement+of+somatic+voltage+clamp+errors+in+central+neurons.">Direct measurement of somatic voltage clamp errors in central neurons.</a> Nat Neurosci. 11 (7), 790-798 (2008).</li><li>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=Correction+for+liquid+junction+potentials+in+patch+clamp+experiments.">Correction for liquid junction potentials in patch clamp experiments.</a> Methods Enzymol. 207, 123-131 (1992).</li><li>Defelice, L. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Electrical Properties of Cells-Patch Clamp for Biologists. , (1997).</li><li>Kornreich, B. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+patch+clamp+technique:+principles+and+technical+considerations.">The patch clamp technique: principles and technical considerations.</a> J Vet Cardiol. 9 (1), 25-37 (2007).</li><li>Molleman, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Patch Clamping: An Introductory Guide To Patch Clamp Electrophysiology. , (2003).</li><li>Neher, E., Sakmann, 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+patch+clamp+technique.">The patch clamp technique.</a> Sci Am. 266 (3), 44-51 (1992).</li><li>Richerson, G. 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. Q. <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+studies+in+the+CNS+illustrate+a+simple+new+method+for+obtaining+viable+neurons+in+rat+brain+slices:+glycerol+replacement+of+NaCl+protects+CNS+neurons.">Patch-clamp studies in the CNS illustrate a simple new method for obtaining viable neurons in rat brain slices: glycerol replacement of NaCl protects CNS neurons.</a> J Neurosci Methods. 158 (2), 251-259 (2006).</li><li>Kourrich, 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=Dynamic+interaction+between+sigma-1+receptor+and+Kv1.2+shapes+neuronal+and+behavioral+responses+to+cocaine.">Dynamic interaction between sigma-1 receptor and Kv1.2 shapes neuronal and behavioral responses to cocaine.</a> Cell. 152 (1-2), 236-247 (2013).</li><li>Kourrich, S., Klug, J. R., Mayford, M., Thomas, 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=AMPAR-Independent+Effect+of+Striatal+aCaMKII+Promotes+the+Sensitization+of+Cocaine+Reward.">AMPAR-Independent Effect of Striatal aCaMKII Promotes the Sensitization of Cocaine Reward.</a> J Neurosci. , (2012).</li><li>Kourrich, S., Rothwell, P. E., Klug, J. R., Thomas, 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=Cocaine+experience+controls+bidirectional+synaptic+plasticity+in+the+nucleus+accumbens.">Cocaine experience controls bidirectional synaptic plasticity in the nucleus accumbens.</a> J Neurosci. 27 (30), 7921-7928 (2007).</li><li>Kourrich, S., Thomas, 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=Similar+neurons,+opposite+adaptations:+psychostimulant+experience+differentially+alters+firing+properties+in+accumbens+core+versus+shell.">Similar neurons, opposite adaptations: psychostimulant experience differentially alters firing properties in accumbens core versus shell.</a> J Neurosci. 29 (39), 12275-12283 (2009).</li><li>Rothwell, P. E., Kourrich, S., Thomas, 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=Environmental+novelty+causes+stress-like+adaptations+at+nucleus+accumbens+synapses:+implications+for+studying+addiction-related+plasticity.">Environmental novelty causes stress-like adaptations at nucleus accumbens synapses: implications for studying addiction-related plasticity.</a> Neuropharmacology. 61 (7), 1152-1159 (2011).</li><li>Rothwell, P. E., Kourrich, S., Thomas, 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=Synaptic+adaptations+in+the+nucleus+accumbens+caused+by+experiences+linked+to+relapse.">Synaptic adaptations in the nucleus accumbens caused by experiences linked to relapse.</a> Biol Psychiatry. 69 (11), 1124-1126 (2011).</li><li>Koya, 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=Silent+synapses+in+selectively+activated+nucleus+accumbens+neurons+following+cocaine+sensitization.">Silent synapses in selectively activated nucleus accumbens neurons following cocaine sensitization.</a> Nat Neurosci. 15 (11), 1556-1562 (2012).</li><li>Conrad, K. L., 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=Formation+of+accumbens+GluR2-lacking+AMPA+receptors+mediates+incubation+of+cocaine+craving.">Formation of accumbens GluR2-lacking AMPA receptors mediates incubation of cocaine craving.</a> Nature. 454 (7200), 118-121 (2008).</li><li>Kruskal, P. B., Jiang, Z., Gao, T., Lieber, C. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Beyond+the+patch+clamp:+nanotechnologies+for+intracellular+recording.">Beyond the patch clamp: nanotechnologies for intracellular recording.</a> Neuron. 86 (1), 21-24 (2015).</li><li>Novak, 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=Nanoscale-targeted+patch-clamp+recordings+of+functional+presynaptic+ion+channels.">Nanoscale-targeted patch-clamp recordings of functional presynaptic ion channels.</a> Neuron. 79 (6), 1067-1077 (2013).</li></ol>

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.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="689">
	<colgroup>
		<col />
		<col />
		<col />
		<col />
	</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 ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

Patch Clamp Recordings in Inner Ear Hair Cells Isolated from Zebrafish

Patch  clamp analyses of the voltage-gated channels in sensory hair cells isolated  from a variety of species have been described previously1-4 but this  ...

Whole Cell Patch Clamp for Investigating the Mechanisms of Infrared Neural Stimulation

It has been  demonstrated in recent years that pulsed, infrared laser light can be used to  elicit electrical responses in neural tissue, independent of ...

Patch Clamp Recordings from Embryonic Zebrafish Mauthner Cells

Mauthner cells (M-cells) are large  reticulospinal neurons located in the hindbrain of teleost fish. They are key  neurons involved in a characteristic ...

A Computer-assisted Multi-electrode Patch-clamp System

The patch-clamp technique is today the most  well-established method for recording electrical activity from individual  neurons or their subcellular ...

Whole-cell Patch-clamp Recordings from Morphologically- and Neurochemically-identified Hippocampal Interneurons

GABAergic inhibitory interneurons play a central role within neuronal circuits of the brain. Interneurons comprise a small subset of the neuronal ...

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 and Morphological Characterization of Neuronal Microcircuits in Acute Brain Slices Using Paired Patch-Clamp Recordings

The combination of patch clamp recordings from two (or more) synaptically coupled neurons (paired recordings) in acute brain slice preparations with ...

Whole-cell Patch-clamp Recordings for Electrophysiological Determination of Ion Selectivity in Channelrhodopsins

Over the past decade, channelrhodopsins became indispensable in neuroscientific research where they are used as tools to non-invasively manipulate ...

Application of Automated Image-guided Patch Clamp for the Study of Neurons in Brain Slices

Whole-cell patch clamp is the gold-standard method to measure the electrical properties of single cells. However, the in vitro patch clamp remains a ...

Preparations and Protocols for Whole Cell Patch Clamp Recording of Xenopus laevis Tectal Neurons

Preparations and Protocols for Whole Cell Patch Clamp Recording of Xenopus laevis Tectal Neurons

The Xenopus tadpole retinotectal circuit, comprised of the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in the eye which form synapses directly onto neurons in the optic ...