Ultrathin CNS slices: Enhanced visualization of neuron structure for electrophysiology and imaging

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(L. Song, M. Sawchuk, & S. Hochman. Dept. Physiology, Univ. of Manitoba. Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3E 0W3. E-mail: shawn@scrc.umanitoba.ca) Electrophysiological studies using patch clamp recordings in CNS slice preparations involve either ‘blind’ or visual targeting strategies. Recordings from visually-identified neurons generally require specialized upright microscopes equipped with Nomarski optics (DIC) (e.g. Konnerth et al Pflugers Arch. 414:600, 1989). Further image optimization to observe neuronal processes employ video-enhanced infrared wavelength illumination (e.g. Stuart et al Pflugers Arch. 423:511, 1993). Though powerful, these approaches require specialized, expensive equipment. Image: Live (green) and dead (red) cell assay showing abundance of living cells throughout slice in a P8 rat (scale bar = 100µm)