Juxtacellular Recording and Staining for Precise Mapping of Neural Activity in an Awake Rat

Start with a restrained, awake rat in an experimental jig, with its head firmly fixed in place.

Open the previously implanted recording chamber and remove the silicone gel covering.

Clear away any regrown tissue to access the brain.

Add a drop of saline to maintain hydration.

Next, attach a pre-filled recording pipette containing Chicago blue dye to a micromanipulator.

Lower the pipette into the recording chamber until it reaches the target brain region.

The pipette makes contact with the neuron and records the signals from the neuron without penetrating it.

Listen to these neuronal signals as audible clicks, then deliver electrical pulses through the pipette.

These pulses inject the dye adjacent to the neuron, enabling precise staining of the target brain region.

These juxtacellular recording and staining techniques precisely visualize the recording site and allow accurate mapping of neural activity to brain anatomy.

Place the rat in the cloth sock, and transfer the cloth sock into a rigid tube on an appropriate experimental jig. Attach the head restraining plate on the rat to the corresponding piece on the jig. Next, place an 832 nut on the head restraining bolt that is implanted on the r