Questa ricerca è stata sostenuta da sovvenzioni NIH e NSF NS047073 concessione DMS1010434.

<ol>
	<li>Neustadter, D. M., Herman, R. L., Drushel, R. F., Chestek, D. W., Chiel, H. 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+kinematics+of+multifunctionality:+comparisons+of+biting+and+swallowing+in+Aplysia+californica.">The kinematics of multifunctionality: comparisons of biting and swallowing in Aplysia californica.</a> J. Exp. Biol. 210, 238-260 (2007).</li><li>Morton, D. W., Chiel, H. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vivo+buccal+nerve+activity+that+distinguishes+ingestion+from+rejection+can+be+used+to+predict+behavioral+transitions+in+Aplysia.">In vivo buccal nerve activity that distinguishes ingestion from rejection can be used to predict behavioral transitions in Aplysia.</a> J. Comp. Physiol. A. 172, 17-32 (1993).</li><li>Hurwitz, I., Neustadter, D., Morton, D. W., Chiel, H. J., Susswein, A. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Activity+patterns+of+the+B31/B32+pattern+initiators+innervating+the+I2+muscle+of+the+buccal+mass+during+normal+feeding+movements+in+Aplysia+californica.">Activity patterns of the B31/B32 pattern initiators innervating the I2 muscle of the buccal mass during normal feeding movements in Aplysia californica.</a> J. Neurophys. 75, 1309-1326 (1996).</li><li>Cullins, M. J., Chiel, H. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Electrode+fabrication+and+implantation+in+Aplysia+californica+for+multi-channel+neural+and+muscular+recordings+in+intact,+freely+behaving+animals.">Electrode fabrication and implantation in Aplysia californica for multi-channel neural and muscular recordings in intact, freely behaving animals.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (40), e1791 (2010).</li><li>Warman, E. N., Chiel, H. 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+new+technique+for+chronic+single+extracellular+recording+in+freely+behaving+animals+using+pipette+electrodes.">A new technique for chronic single extracellular recording in freely behaving animals using pipette electrodes.</a> J. Neurosci. Methods. 57, 161-169 (1995).</li><li>Lu, H., Chestek, C. A., Shaw, K. M., Chiel, H. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Selective+extracellular+stimulation+of+individual+neurons+in+ganglia.">Selective extracellular stimulation of individual neurons in ganglia.</a> J. Neural Eng. 5, 287-309 (2008).</li><li>Church, P. J., Lloyd, P. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Expression+of+diverse+neuropeptide+cotransmitters+by+identified+motor+neurons+in+Aplysia.">Expression of diverse neuropeptide cotransmitters by identified motor neurons in Aplysia.</a> J. Neurosci. 11, 618-625 (1991).</li><li>Church, P. J., Lloyd, P. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Activity+of+multiple+identified+motor+neurons+recorded+intracellularly+during+evoked+feedinglike+motor+programs+in+Aplysia.">Activity of multiple identified motor neurons recorded intracellularly during evoked feedinglike motor programs in Aplysia.</a> J. Neurophys. 72, 1794-1809 (1994).</li><li>Nargeot, R. N., Baxter, D. A., 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=Contingent-dependent+enhancement+of+rhythmic+motor+patterns:+an+in+vitro+analog+of+operant+conditioning.">Contingent-dependent enhancement of rhythmic motor patterns: an in vitro analog of operant conditioning.</a> J. Neurosci. 17, 8093-8105 (1997).</li><li>Kandel, E. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Behavioral biology of Aplysia. , (1979).</li><li>Scott, M. L., Govind, C. K., Kirk, M. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neuromuscular+organization+of+the+buccal+system+in+Aplysia+californica.">Neuromuscular organization of the buccal system in Aplysia californica.</a> J. Comp. Neurol. 312, 207-222 (1991).</li><li>Susswein, A. J., Rosen, S. C., Gapon, S., Kupfermann, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Characterization+of+buccal+motor+programs+elicited+by+a+cholinergic+agonist+applied+to+the+cerebral+ganglion+of+Aplysia+californica.">Characterization of buccal motor programs elicited by a cholinergic agonist applied to the cerebral ganglion of Aplysia californica.</a> J. Comp. Physiol. A. 179, 509-524 (1996).</li><li>Kupfermann, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Feeding+behavior+in+Aplysia:+A+simple+system+for+the+study+of+motivation.">Feeding behavior in Aplysia: A simple system for the study of motivation.</a> Behav. Biol. 10, 1-26 (1974).</li><li>Morton, D. W., Chiel, H. 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+timing+of+activity+in+motor+neurons+that+produce+radula+movements+distinguishes+ingestion+from+rejection+in+Aplysia.">The timing of activity in motor neurons that produce radula movements distinguishes ingestion from rejection in Aplysia.</a> J. Comp. Physiol. A. 173, 519-536 (1993).</li><li>Weiss, K. R., Chiel, H. J., Koch, U., Kupfermann, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Activity+of+an+identified+histaminergic+neuron,+and+its+possible+role+in+arousal+of+feeding+behavior+in+semi-intact+Aplysia.">Activity of an identified histaminergic neuron, and its possible role in arousal of feeding behavior in semi-intact Aplysia.</a> J. Neurosci. 6, 2403-2415 (1986).</li><li>Jing, J., Weiss, K. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Generation+of+variants+of+a+motor+act+in+a+modular+and+hierarchical+motor+network.">Generation of variants of a motor act in a modular and hierarchical motor network.</a> Curr. Biol. 15, 1712-1721 (2005).</li><li>Jing, J., Weiss, K. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neural+mechanisms+of+motor+program+switching+in+Aplysia.">Neural mechanisms of motor program switching in Aplysia.</a> J. Neurosci. 21, 7349-7362 (2001).</li><li>Morgan, P. T., Jing, J., Vilim, F. S., Weiss, K. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Interneuronal+and+peptidergic+control+of+motor+pattern+switching+in+Aplysia.">Interneuronal and peptidergic control of motor pattern switching in Aplysia.</a> J. Neurophysiol. 87, 49-61 (2002).</li><li>Jing, J., Cropper, E. C., Hurwitz, I., Weiss, K. 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+construction+of+movement+with+behavior-specific+and+behavior-independent+modules.">The construction of movement with behavior-specific and behavior-independent modules.</a> J. Neurosci. 24, 6315-6325 (2004).</li></ol>

Nessun conflitto di interessi dichiarati.

Il lavoro precedente ha caratterizzato Aplysia programmi motori in intatta di un animale e nelle preparazioni ridotto come gangli isolato. Nell&#39;animale intatto, anche se le registrazioni di singoli neuroni sono stati ottenuti 5, tali esperimenti sono molto difficili, e gli elettrodi non può essere spostato da neurone a neurone durante l&#39;alimentazione. In gangli isolato, i movimenti alimentazione indotte da attività neurale non può essere osservato. La preparazione massa sospesa buccale col...

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an in vitro preparation for eliciting and recording feeding motor programs with physiological movements in aplysia californica

Multifunzionalità, la capacità di una struttura periferica per generare più comportamenti distinti, 1, permette animali di adattarsi rapidamente loro comportamenti ai cambiamenti ambientali. Il mollusco marino Aplysia californica fornisce un sistema trattabili per lo studio della multifunzionalità. Durante l&#39;alimentazione, Aplysia genera diversi tipi distinti di comportamenti con la stessa apparecchiatura di alimentazione, la massa buccale. I gangli che controllano questi comportamenti contengono una serie di grandi neuroni identificati che sono accessibili per lo studio elettrofisiologico. L&#39;attività di questi neuroni è stato descritto in programmi motori che possono essere divisi in due tipi, programmi e ingestive egestive, basato sui tempi delle attività neurale che chiude la relativa grasper cibo all&#39;attività neurale che protrae o indietro la pinza 2. Tuttavia, in gangli isolato, i movimenti muscolari che producono tali comportamenti sono assenti, rendendodifficile essere certi se i programmi motori osservati sono correlati di comportamenti reali. In registrazioni vivo, nervose e muscolari sono stati ottenuti corrispondente a programmi di alimentazione 2,3,4, ma è molto difficile registrare direttamente da singoli neuroni 5. Inoltre, in vivo, programmi ingestive può essere ulteriormente suddiviso in morsi e 1,2 rondini, una distinzione che è difficile fare in precedenza descritto più in preparati in vitro. La preparazione massa sospesa buccale (Figura 1) colma il divario tra gangli isolati e animali intatti. In questa preparazione, comportamenti ingestive - compresi sia mordere e deglutizione - e comportamenti egestive (rifiuto) possono essere provocati, al tempo stesso neuroni individuali possono essere registrati da e stimolati con elettrodi extracellulari 6. I movimenti di alimentazione associati a questi comportamenti differenti possono essere regiDED, quantificati e direttamente collegati ai programmi motori. I programmi del motore per la preparazione massa sospesa buccale sembrano essere più simili a quelle osservate in vivo che sono programmi motori suscitato nei gangli isolato. Pertanto, i programmi motori di questa preparazione può essere più direttamente collegate al comportamento in vivo, al tempo stesso, i singoli neuroni sono più accessibili a registrazione e stimolazione che in animali intatti. Inoltre, come fase intermedia tra gangli isolati e animali intatti, risultati della massa sospesa buccale può aiutare nella interpretazione dei dati ottenuti in ambienti sia più ridotte e più intatta. La preparazione massa sospesa buccale è uno strumento utile per caratterizzare il controllo neurale della multifunzionalità in Aplysia.

When an extracellular electrode is positioned above a neuron's soma and used to stimulate the neuron, a one-for-one correspondence between spikes on the soma channel and on the nerve(s) the neuron projects to can be observed (Figure 6, left panel, stimulation of identified neuron B9). The soma channel (top channel) is set to stimulating mode when the current is applied (time 1 in the figure), and is then quickly switched to recording mode (time 2). By maintaining the position of the electrode, the...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about An In Vitro Preparation for Eliciting and Recording Feeding Motor Programs with Physiological Movements in Aplysia californica at JoVE.com

An In Vitro Preparation for Eliciting and Recording Feeding Motor Programs with Physiological Movements in Aplysia californica

Descriviamo una tecnica per la registrazione extracellulare e stimolare di nervi, muscoli e singoli neuroni identificati<em&gt; In vitro</em&gt; Mentre elicitare ed osservando diversi tipi di alimentazione comportamenti nell&#39;apparato di alimentazione<em&gt; Aplysia</em&gt;.

Un<em&gt; In Vitro</emPreparazione&gt; per stimolare e registrare i programmi motori Nutrire con i movimenti fisiologici in<em&gt; Aplysia californica</em

Multifunctionality, the ability of one peripheral  structure to generate multiple, distinct behaviors1, allows animals  to rapidly adapt their behaviors ...

an-vitro-preparation-for-eliciting-recording-feeding-motor-programs

Universidad de Cartagena UDEC

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

An In Vitro Preparation for Eliciting and Recording Feeding Motor Programs with Physiological Movements in Aplysia californica

10.6K Views.  Case Western Reserve University. Descriviamo una tecnica per la registrazione extracellulare e stimolare di nervi, muscoli e singoli neuroni identificati In vitro Mentre elicitare ed osservando diversi tipi di alimentazione comportamenti nell'apparato di alimentazione Aplysia.

Video: An In Vitro Preparation for Eliciting and Recording Feeding Motor Programs with Physiological Movements in Aplysia californica

Electrode Fabrication and Implantation in Aplysia californica for Multi-channel Neural and Muscular Recordings in Intact, Freely Behaving Animals

Recording from key nerves and muscles of Aplysia during feeding behavior allows us to study the patterns of neural control in an intact animal. Simultaneously recording from multiple nerves and muscles gives us precise information about the timing of neural activity. Previous recording methods have worked for two electrodes, but the study of additional nerves or muscles required combining and averaging the recordings of multiple animals, which made it difficult to determine fine details of timing and phasing, because of variability from response to response, and from animal to animal. Implanting four individual electrodes has a very low success rate due to the formation of adhesions that prevent animals from performing normal feeding movements. We developed a new method of electrode fabrication that reduces the bulk of the electrodes inside the animal allowing for normal feeding movements. Using a combination of glues to attach the electrodes results in a more reliable insulation of the electrode which lasts longer, making it possible to record for periods as long as a week. The fabrication technique that we describe could be extended to incorporate several additional electrodes, and would be applicable to vertebrate animals.

Electrode Fabrication and Implantation in Aplysia californica for Multi-channel Neural and Muscular Recordings in Intact, Freely Behaving Animals

A technique is described for implanting four in vivo electrodes to monitor the neuromuscular control of feeding behavior in Aplysia californica.

Fabbricazione e impianto di elettrodi nel Aplysia californica Per registrazioni multi-canale neurale e muscolare in intatto, Animali liberamente Comportarsi

Recording from key nerves and muscles of Aplysia during feeding behavior allows us to study the patterns of neural control in an intact animal.  ...

Ricerca

Neuroscienze

Time-lapse Live Imaging of Clonally Related Neural Progenitor Cells in the Developing Zebrafish Forebrain

Precise patterns of division, migration and differentiation of neural progenitor cells are crucial for proper brain development and function1,2. To understand the behavior of neural progenitor cells in the complex in vivo environment, time-lapse live imaging of neural progenitor cells in an intact brain is critically required. In this video, we exploit the unique features of zebrafish embryos to visualize the development of forebrain neural progenitor cells in vivo. We use electroporation to genetically and sparsely label individual neural progenitor cells. Briefly, DNA constructs coding for fluorescent markers were injected into the forebrain ventricle of 22 hours post fertilization (hpf) zebrafish embryos and electric pulses were delivered immediately. Six hours later, the electroporated zebrafish embryos were mounted with low melting point agarose in glass bottom culture dishes. Fluorescently labeled neural progenitor cells were then imaged for 36hours with fixed intervals under a confocal microscope using water dipping objective lens. The present method provides a way to gain insights into the in vivo development of forebrain neural progenitor cells and can be applied to other parts of the central nervous system of the zebrafish embryo.

The present video demonstrates a method which takes advantage of the combination of electroporation and confocal microscopy to perform live imaging on individual neural progenitor cells in the developing zebrafish forebrain. In vivo analysis of the development of forebrain neural progenitor cells at a clonal level can be achieved in this way.

Time-lapse immagini dal vivo di relazione clonale cellule progenitrici neurali in via di sviluppo Zebrafish proencefalo

Precise patterns of division, migration and differentiation of neural progenitor cells are crucial for proper brain development and function1,2. To ...

Aplysia Ganglia Preparation for Electrophysiological and Molecular Analyses of Single Neurons

A major challenge in neurobiology is to understand the molecular underpinnings of neural circuitry that govern a specific behavior. Once the specific molecular mechanisms are identified, new therapeutic strategies can be developed to treat abnormalities in specific behaviors caused by degenerative diseases or aging of the nervous system. The marine snail Aplysia californica is well suited for the investigations of cellular and molecular basis of behavior because neural circuitry underlying a specific behavior could be easily determined and the individual components of the circuitry could be easily manipulated. These advantages of Aplysia have led to several fundamental discoveries of neurobiology of learning and memory. Here we describe a preparation of the Aplysia nervous system for the electrophysiological and molecular analyses of individual neurons. Briefly, ganglion dissected from the nervous system is exposed to protease to remove the ganglion sheath such that neurons are exposed but retain neuronal activity as in the intact animal. This preparation is used to carry out electrophysiological measurements of single or multiple neurons. Importantly, following the recording using a simple methodology, the neurons could be isolated directly from the ganglia for gene expression analysis. These protocols were used to carry out simultaneous electrophysiological recordings from L7 and R15 neurons, study their response to acetylcholine and quantitating expression of CREB1 gene in isolated single L7, L11, R15, and R2 neurons of Aplysia.

Aplysia Ganglia Preparation for Electrophysiological and Molecular Analyses of Single Neurons

Marine snail Aplysia californica has been widely used as a neurobiology model for the studies on cellular and molecular basis of behavior. Here a methodology is described for exploring the nervous system of Aplysia for the electrophysiological and molecular analyses of single neurons of identified neural circuitry.

Alisia Preparazione ganglia per analisi elettrofisiotiche e molecolari di singoli neuroni

A major challenge in neurobiology is to understand the molecular underpinnings of neural circuitry that govern a specific behavior. Once the specific ...

Bioingegneria

Preparation of an Awake Mouse for Recording Neural Responses and Injecting Tracers

It is well known that anesthesia alters neural response properties in various regions of the brain.13. In the auditory system, fundamental response properties of brainstem neurons including threshold, frequency specificity, and inhibitory sidebands are altered in significant ways under anesthesia1-2. These observations prompted physiologists to seek ways to record from single neurons without the contaminating effects of anesthesia. One result was a decerebrate preparation, where the brainstem was completely transected at the level of the midbrain4. The drawbacks of this preparation are a formidable surgery, the elimination of descending projections from the forebrain, and an inability to use sensory stimulation to examine structures above the midbrain. A different strategy has been to implant electrode arrays chronically to record from single neurons and multiunit clusters while the animal is awake and/or behaving5,6. These techniques however are not compatible with injecting tracer dyes after first electrophysiologically characterizing a brain structure. To avoid altering neural response properties with anesthetics while recording electrophysiological response properties from single neurons, we have adapted a head restraint technique long used in bats7-9 to mouse10-12. Using this method, we are able to conduct electrophysiological recordings over several days in the unanesthetized mouse. At the end of the recording sessions, we can then inject a dye to reconstruct electrode positions and recording sites or inject a tracer so that pathways to and from the recording loci can be determined. This method allows for well isolated single neuron recordings over multiple days without the use anesthetics.

Electrophysiological characterization of neuronal responses is important for understanding brain function and for guiding the placement of dyes for pathway tracing. However, many studies are performed in anesthetized animals. To understand brain function without anesthetics, we developed a method to record neuronal response properties and inject dyes in awake mouse.

Preparazione di un mouse Awake per la registrazione di risposte neurali e iniezione Tracers

It is well known that anesthesia alters neural response properties in various regions of the brain.13.  In the auditory system, fundamental response ...

Monitoring Changes in the Intracellular Calcium Concentration and Synaptic Efficacy in the Mollusc Aplysia

It has been suggested that changes in intracellular calcium mediate the induction of a number of important forms of synaptic plasticity (e.g., homosynaptic facilitation) 1. These hypotheses can be tested by simultaneously monitoring changes in intracellular calcium and alterations in synaptic efficacy. We demonstrate how this can be accomplished by combining calcium imaging with intracellular recording techniques. Our experiments are conducted in a buccal ganglion of the mollusc Aplysia californica. This preparation has a number of experimentally advantageous features: Ganglia can be easily removed from Aplysia and experiments use adult neurons that make normal synaptic connections and have a normal ion channel distribution. Due to the low metabolic rate of the animal and the relatively low temperatures (14-16 &deg;C) that are natural for Aplysia, preparations are stable for long periods of time. 
To detect changes in intracellular free calcium we will use the cell impermeant version of Calcium Orange 2 which is easily 'loaded' into a neuron via iontophoresis. When this long wavelength fluorescent dye binds to calcium, fluorescence intensity increases. Calcium Orange has fast kinetic properties 3 and, unlike ratiometric dyes (e.g., Fura 2), requires no filter wheel for imaging. It is fairly photo stable and less phototoxic than other dyes (e.g., fluo-3) 2,4. Like all non-ratiometric dyes, Calcium Orange indicates relative changes in calcium concentration. But, because it is not possible to account for changes in dye concentration due to loading and diffusion, it can not be calibrated to provide absolute calcium concentrations. 
An upright, fixed stage, compound microscope was used to image neurons with a CCD camera capable of recording around 30 frames per second. In Aplysia this temporal resolution is more than adequate to detect even a single spike induced alteration in the intracellular calcium concentration. Sharp electrodes are simultaneously used to induce and record synaptic transmission in identified pre- and postsynaptic neurons. At the conclusion of each trial, a custom script combines electrophysiology and imaging data. To ensure proper synchronization we use a light pulse from a LED mounted in the camera port of the microscope. Manipulation of presynaptic calcium levels (e.g. via intracellular EGTA injection) allows us to test specific hypotheses, concerning the role of intracellular calcium in mediating various forms of plasticity.

Monitoring Changes in the Intracellular Calcium Concentration and Synaptic Efficacy in the Mollusc Aplysia

We demonstrate how changes in the intracellular free calcium concentration and synaptic efficacy can be simultaneously monitored in a ganglion preparation of Aplysia. We image intracellular calcium using a fluorescent dye, Calcium Orange, and induce and monitor synaptic transmission with sharp (intracellular) electrodes.

I cambiamenti di monitoraggio della concentrazione di calcio intracellulare ed efficacia Synaptic nel Mollusco<em&gt; Aplysia</em

It has been suggested that changes in intracellular calcium mediate the induction of a number of important forms of synaptic plasticity (e.g., ...

Retrograde Fluorescent Labeling Allows for Targeted Extracellular Single-unit Recording from Identified Neurons In vivo

The overall goal of this method is to record single-unit responses from an identified population of neurons. In vivo electrophysiological recordings from individual neurons are critical for understanding how neural circuits function under natural conditions. Traditionally, these recordings have been performed 'blind', meaning the identity of the recorded cell is unknown at the start of the recording. Cellular identity can be subsequently determined via intracellular1, juxtacellular2 or loose-patch3 iontophoresis of dye, but these recordings cannot be pre-targeted to specific neurons in regions with functionally heterogeneous cell types. Fluorescent proteins can be expressed in a cell-type specific manner permitting visually-guided single-cell electrophysiology4-6. However, there are many model systems for which these genetic tools are not available. Even in genetically accessible model systems, the desired promoter may be unknown or genetically homogenous neurons may have varying projection patterns. Similarly, viral vectors have been used to label specific subgroups of projection neurons7, but use of this method is limited by toxicity and lack of trans-synaptic specificity. Thus, additional techniques that offer specific pre-visualization to record from identified single neurons in vivo are needed. Pre-visualization of the target neuron is particularly useful for challenging recording conditions, for which classical single-cell recordings are often prohibitively difficult8-11. The novel technique described in this paper uses retrograde transport of a fluorescent dye applied using tungsten needles to rapidly and selectively label a specific subset of cells within a particular brain region based on their unique axonal projections, thereby providing a visual cue to obtain targeted electrophysiological recordings from identified neurons in an intact circuit within a vertebrate CNS.
The most significant novel advancement of our method is the use of fluorescent labeling to target specific cell types in a non-genetically accessible model system. Weakly electric fish are an excellent model system for studying neural circuits in awake, behaving animals12. We utilized this technique to study sensory processing by "small cells" in the anterior exterolateral nucleus (ELa) of weakly electric mormyrid fish. "Small cells" are hypothesized to be time comparator neurons important for detecting submillisecond differences in the arrival times of presynaptic spikes13. However, anatomical features such as dense myelin, engulfing synapses, and small cell bodies have made it extremely difficult to record from these cells using traditional methods11, 14. Here we demonstrate that our novel method selectively labels these cells in 28% of preparations, allowing for reliable, robust recordings and characterization of responses to electrosensory stimulation.

Retrograde Fluorescent Labeling Allows for Targeted Extracellular Single-unit Recording from Identified Neurons In vivo

Retrograde transport of fluorescent dye labels a sub-population of neurons based on anatomical projection. Labeled axons can be visually targeted in vivo, permitting extracellular recording from identified axons. This technique facilitates recording when neurons cannot be labeled through genetic manipulation or are difficult to isolate using 'blind' in vivo approaches.

Retrograda Etichettatura fluorescente Consente mirata extracellulare singola unità di registrazione da parte dei neuroni identificati<em&gt; In vivo</em

The overall goal of this method is to record single-unit responses from an identified population of neurons. In vivo electrophysiological recordings from ...

Preparation of Aplysia Sensory-motor Neuronal Cell Cultures

The nervous system of the marine mollusk Aplysia californica is relatively simple, consisting of approximately 20,000 neurons. The neurons are large (up to 1 mm in diameter) and identifiable, with distinct sizes, shapes, positions and pigmentations, and the cell bodies are externally exposed in five paired ganglia distributed throughout the body of the animal. These properties have allowed investigators to delineate the circuitry underlying specific behaviors in the animal1. The monosynaptic connection between sensory and motor neurons is a central component of the gill-withdrawal reflex in the animal, a simple defensive reflex in which the animal withdraws its gill in response to tactile stimulation of the siphon. This reflex undergoes forms of non-associative and associative learning, including sensitization, habituation and classical conditioning. Of particular benefit to the study of synaptic plasticity, the sensory-motor synapse can be reconstituted in culture, where well-characterized stimuli elicit forms of plasticity that have direct correlates in the behavior of the animal2,3. Specifically, application of serotonin produces a synaptic strengthening that, depending on the application protocol, lasts for minutes (short-term facilitation), hours (intermediate-term facilitation) or days (long-term facilitation). In contrast, application of the peptide transmitter FMRFamide produces a synaptic weakening or depression that, depending on the application protocol, can last from minutes to days (long-term depression). The large size of the neurons allows for repeated sharp electrode recording of synaptic strength over periods of days together with microinjection of expression vectors, siRNAs and other compounds to target specific signaling cascades and molecules and thereby identify the molecular and cell biological steps that underlie the changes in synaptic efficacy.
An additional advantage of the Aplysia culture system comes from the fact that the neurons demonstrate synapse-specificity in culture4,5. Thus, sensory neurons do not form synapses with themselves (autapses) or with other sensory neurons, nor do they form synapses with non-target identified motor neurons in culture. The varicosities, sites of synaptic contact between sensory and motor neurons, are large enough (2-7 microns in diameter) to allow synapse formation (as well as changes in synaptic morphology) with target motor neurons to be studied at the light microscopic level.
In this video, we demonstrate each step of preparing sensory-motor neuron cultures, including anesthetizing adult and juvenile Aplysia, dissecting their ganglia, protease digestion of the ganglia, removal of the connective tissue by microdissection, identification of both sensory and motor neurons and removal of each cell type by microdissection, plating of the motor neuron, addition of the sensory neuron and manipulation of the sensory neurite to form contact with the cultured motor neuron.

Preparation of Aplysia Sensory-motor Neuronal Cell Cultures

Primary cultures of Aplysia sensory-motor neurons provide a model preparation for studying synapse formation and synaptic plasticity in vitro. This video demonstrates the identification and microdissection of sensory and motor neurons from Aplysia ganglia as well as the methods for establishing and maintaining sensory-motor neurons in culture.

Preparazione del Aplysia Senso-motorio colture cellulari neuronali

The nervous system of the marine mollusk Aplysia californica is relatively simple, consisting of approximately 20,000 neurons.  The neurons are large (up ...

Biologia

Extracellularly Identifying Motor Neurons for a Muscle Motor Pool in Aplysia californica

In animals with large identified neurons (e.g. mollusks), analysis of motor pools is done using intracellular techniques1,2,3,4. Recently, we developed a technique to extracellularly stimulate and record individual neurons in Aplysia californica5. We now describe a protocol for using this technique to uniquely identify and characterize motor neurons within a motor pool.
This extracellular technique has advantages. First, extracellular electrodes can stimulate and record neurons through the sheath5, so it does not need to be removed. Thus, neurons will be healthier in extracellular experiments than in intracellular ones. Second, if ganglia are rotated by appropriate pinning of the sheath, extracellular electrodes can access neurons on both sides of the ganglion, which makes it easier and more efficient to identify multiple neurons in the same preparation. Third, extracellular electrodes do not need to penetrate cells, and thus can be easily moved back and forth among neurons, causing less damage to them. This is especially useful when one tries to record multiple neurons during repeating motor patterns that may only persist for minutes. Fourth, extracellular electrodes are more flexible than intracellular ones during muscle movements. Intracellular electrodes may pull out and damage neurons during muscle contractions. In contrast, since extracellular electrodes are gently pressed onto the sheath above neurons, they usually stay above the same neuron during muscle contractions, and thus can be used in more intact preparations.
To uniquely identify motor neurons for a motor pool (in particular, the I1/I3 muscle in Aplysia) using extracellular electrodes, one can use features that do not require intracellular measurements as criteria: soma size and location, axonal projection, and muscle innervation4,6,7. For the particular motor pool used to illustrate the technique, we recorded from buccal nerves 2 and 3 to measure axonal projections, and measured the contraction forces of the I1/I3 muscle to determine the pattern of muscle innervation for the individual motor neurons.
We demonstrate the complete process of first identifying motor neurons using muscle innervation, then characterizing their timing during motor patterns, creating a simplified diagnostic method for rapid identification. The simplified and more rapid diagnostic method is superior for more intact preparations, e.g. in the suspended buccal mass preparation8 or in vivo9. This process can also be applied in other motor pools10,11,12 in Aplysia or in other animal systems2,3,13,14.

Extracellularly Identifying Motor Neurons for a Muscle Motor Pool in Aplysia californica

In animals with large identified neurons (e.g. mollusks), analysis of motor pools is done using intracellular techniques1,2,3,4. Recently, we developed a technique to extracellularly stimulate and record individual neurons in Aplysia californica5. We now describe a protocol for using this technique to uniquely identify and characterize motor neurons within a motor pool.

Extracellulare Identificazione neuroni motori per un pool di motore muscolare in<em&gt; Aplysia californica</em

In animals with large  identified neurons (e.g. mollusks), analysis of motor pools is done using  intracellular techniques1,2,3,4. Recently,  we developed ...

Isolation of Sensory Neurons of Aplysia californica for Patch Clamp Recordings of Glutamatergic Currents

The marine gastropod mollusk Aplysia californica has a venerable history as a model of nervous system function, with particular significance in studies of learning and memory. The typical preparations for such studies are ones in which the sensory and motoneurons are left intact in a minimally dissected animal, or a technically elaborate neuronal co-culture of individual sensory and motoneurons. Less common is the isolated neuronal preparation in which small clusters of nominally homogeneous neurons are dissociated into single cells in short term culture. Such isolated cells are useful for the biophysical characterization of ion currents using patch clamp techniques, and targeted modulation of these conductances. A protocol for preparing such cultures is described. The protocol takes advantage of the easily identifiable glutamatergic sensory neurons of the pleural and buccal ganglia, and describes their dissociation and minimal maintenance in culture for several days without serum.

Isolation of Sensory Neurons of Aplysia californica for Patch Clamp Recordings of Glutamatergic Currents

We describe the dissection of the nervous system of the marine sea hare Aplysia after anesthesia, the isolation of neurons for short term-tissue culture, and recordings of single cell ion currents via the patch clamp technique.

Isolamento dei neuroni sensoriali<em&gt; Aplysia californica</em&gt; Per Bloccare Registrazioni patch di correnti glutamatergico

The marine gastropod mollusk Aplysia californica has a venerable  history as a model of nervous system function, with particular significance in  studies ...

A Minimally Invasive Lesion Technique for Muscles Intrinsic to the Odontophore of Aplysia californica

Aplysia californica is a model system for studying the neural control of learning and behavior. This animal has a semi-open circulatory system, making it possible to access many of its internal structures without causing any significant damage. Many manipulations can be easily performed both in vivo and in vitro, making it a highly tractable model for the analysis of behavior and neural circuitry. To better understand the functions of muscles within the feeding grasper, we have developed a technique for lesioning them without opening the main body cavity of the animal or damaging the outer layers of the feeding organ (i.e., the buccal mass). In this technique, the grasper is partially everted, allowing direct access to the musculature. This procedure allows animals to recover quickly and reliably. This has made it possible to lesion the I7 muscles and sub-radular fibers, allowing us to show that both muscles significantly contribute to the opening in vivo.

A Minimally Invasive Lesion Technique for Muscles Intrinsic to the Odontophore of Aplysia californica

Here we present a protocol for minimally invasive surgical lesioning of muscles intrinsic to the feeding apparatus of the marine mollusk Aplysia californica to understand the roles of these muscles during feeding behavior.

Una tecnica di lesione mini-invasiva per i muscoli intrinseca all'odontoia di Aplysia californica

Aplysia californica is a model system for studying the neural control of learning and behavior. This animal has a semi-open circulatory system, making it ...

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Capitoli in questo video

Fabbricazione e impianto di elettrodi nel Aplysia californica Per registrazioni multi-canale neurale e muscolare in intatto, Animali liberamente Comportarsi

Time-lapse immagini dal vivo di relazione clonale cellule progenitrici neurali in via di sviluppo Zebrafish proencefalo

Alisia Preparazione ganglia per analisi elettrofisiotiche e molecolari di singoli neuroni

Preparazione di un mouse Awake per la registrazione di risposte neurali e iniezione Tracers

I cambiamenti di monitoraggio della concentrazione di calcio intracellulare ed efficacia Synaptic nel Mollusco

Retrograda Etichettatura fluorescente Consente mirata extracellulare singola unità di registrazione da parte dei neuroni identificati

Preparazione del Aplysia Senso-motorio colture cellulari neuronali

Extracellulare Identificazione neuroni motori per un pool di motore muscolare in

Isolamento dei neuroni sensoriali

Una tecnica di lesione mini-invasiva per i muscoli intrinseca all'odontoia di Aplysia californica