A new interface chamber for the study of mammalian nervous tissue slices.
We describe a new interface-type chamber for electrophysiological studies in mammalian brain slices. Thermoregulation of the inner recording chamber is achieved using the Peltier effect and a feedback control unit. Between 15 and 40 degrees C, and for perfusion rates from 1 to 5 ml/min, the temperature can be maintained within +/- 0.1 degrees C of the command value; it can also be rapidly and reliably changed. An external bath, heated by a coiled resistor, generates a humidified, oxygenated atmosphere diffusing above the slices. Survival of neuronal tissue is excellent and stable intracellular recordings can be obtained using either sharp or patch-clamp micropipettes. Perfusion solutions can be readily exchanged, rendering this chamber suitable for the study of bath-applied neuroactive compounds.
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D015194:Diffusion Chambers, Culture; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009417:Nerve Tissue / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D010477:Perfusion / Q000295:instrumentation; D051381:Rats; D013696:Temperature; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000502:physiology