In Vivo Recording of Intracellular Signals from a Single Neuron
Transkript
In this step, pull a glass micropipette with a 0.2-micrometer tip and fill it with two molar potassium acetate solution. Place the pipette in a specific holder with a silver-silver chloride wire to connect the pipette solution to an intracellular amplifier. Then, place a silver-silver chloride reference electrode on the rat's neck muscles. Place the pipette above the region of interest.
Slowly, insert the pipette into the brain, down to the desired depth, using the buzz button of the amplifier to clear the pipette if needed. Next, use cotton swabs or synthetic absorption triangles to dry the craniotomy, and cover it with silicone elastomer, or 4% agarose, to reduce brain movements.
Afterward, lower the pipette in one- or two-micrometer steps until its resistance increases when approaching a cell. Use the buzz function of the amplifier to penetrate into the neuron.
