Dissecting and Recording from The C. Elegans Neuromuscular Junction

JoVE 1165 2/25/2009

Janet Richmond

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago

Application of electrophysiology to accessible synapses provides a quantifiable measure of synaptic activity, useful in analyzing synaptic mutants. This article describes a dissection method used to expose the neuromuscular junctions (NMJ) of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) and briefly discusses some of the uses to which this preparation can be applied.

Examining Local Network Processing using Multi-contact Laminar Electrode Recording

JoVE 2806 9/08/2011

Bryan J. Hansen¹, Sarah Eagleman¹, Valentin Dragoi²

¹Graduate School of Biomedical Science, Neuroscience Program, University of Texas , ²Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Texas

A fundamental issue in our understanding of cortical circuitry is how networks in different cortical layers encode sensory information. Here we describe electrophysiological techniques utilizing multi-contact laminar electrodes to record single-units and local field potentials and present analyses to identify cortical layers.

Cell-based Calcium Assay for Medium to High Throughput Screening of TRP Channel Functions using FlexStation 3

JoVE 3149 8/17/2011

Jialie Luo, Yingmin Zhu, Michael X. Zhu, Hongzhen Hu

Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

This video provides a detailed protocol for studying the pharmacological profile of human TRPA1 channels using FlexStation 3. The protocol covers details of cell preparation, dye loading and operation of the microplate reader, FlexStation 3.

Calcium Imaging of Odor-evoked Responses in the Drosophila Antennal Lobe

JoVE 2976 3/14/2012

Ana F. Silbering¹, Rati Bell¹, C. Giovanni Galizia², Richard Benton¹

¹Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, ²Department of Biology, University of Konstanz

We describe an established technique to measure and analyze odor-evoked calcium responses in the antennal lobe of living Drosophila melanogaster.

Preterm EEG: A Multimodal Neurophysiological Protocol

JoVE 3774 2/18/2012

Susanna Stjerna¹, Juha Voipio², Marjo Metsäranta³, Kai Kaila^2,4, Sampsa Vanhatalo¹

¹Department of Children's Clinical Neurophysiology, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki , ²Department of Biosciences, University of Helsinki , ³Department of Pediatrics, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki , ⁴Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki

This video explains the background theory of the neonatal EEG activity and the sensory responses, followed by a live demonstration of their recording in neonatal intensive care unit.

Electrophysiological Methods for Recording Synaptic Potentials from the NMJ of Drosophila Larvae

JoVE 1109 2/06/2009

Wendy Imlach, Brian D. McCabe

Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons

Here we describe electrophysiological methods for measuring synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction of Drosophila larva. Evoked release is initiated artificially by stimulating the motor neuron axons, and transmission through the NMJ can be measured by the postsynaptic response evoked in the muscle.

March 2012: This Month in JoVE

JoVE 4336 3/01/2012

Aaron Kolski-Andreaco

Microvascular Decompression: Salient Surgical Principles and Technical Nuances

JoVE 2590 7/05/2011

Jonathan Forbes¹, Calvin Cooper*², Walter Jermakowicz*², Joseph Neimat*¹, Peter Konrad*¹

¹Department of Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, ²Vanderbilt School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

There are many available options for management of the patient with trigeminal neuralgia. Microvascular decompression, while the most invasive of all options, is also the most effective at achieving long term remission of symptoms. Video instruction on how to maximize efficacy and minimize complications with this procedure is described.

Patch Clamp Recordings from Mouse Retinal Neurons in a Dark-adapted Slice Preparation

JoVE 2107 9/12/2010

A. Cyrus Arman¹, Alapakkam P. Sampath²

¹Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of Southern California, ²Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine

Here we describe a procedure for generating dark-adapted slices of the mouse retina for electrophysiological recordings.

Historical View and Physiology Demonstration at the NMJ of the Crayfish Opener Muscle

JoVE 1595 11/09/2009

Ann S. Cooper, Robin L. Cooper

Department of Biology, University of Kentucky

The opener muscle of the crayfish leg is presented for its historical importance and experimental versatility in muscle phenotype, synaptic physiology and plasticity.