title: Optogenetic field potential recording in cortical slices.
abstract: We introduce a method that uses optogenetic stimulation to evoke field potentials in brain slices prepared from transgenic mice expressing channelrhodopsin-2-YFP. Cortical slices in a recording chamber were stimulated with a 473 nm blue laser via either a laser scanning photostimulation setup or by direct guidance of a fiber optic. Field potentials evoked by either of the two optogenetic stimulation methods had stable amplitude, consistent waveform, and similar components as events evoked with a conventional stimulating electrode. The amplitude of evoked excitatory postsynaptic potentials increased with increasing laser intensity or pulse duration. We further demonstrated that optogenetic stimulation can be used for the induction and monitoring of long-term depression. We conclude that this technique allows for efficient and reliable activation of field potentials in brain slice preparation, and will be useful for studying short and long term synaptic plasticity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Stark Neuroscience Research Institute, Indiana Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Indiana University School of Medicine, 980 W. Walnut Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
authors.forename: Wenhui
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.forename: Xiaoming
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D000075402:Channelrhodopsins; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007834:Lasers; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D036881:Long-Term Synaptic Depression / Q000235:genetics / Q000528:radiation effects; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D062308:Optogenetics / Q000379:methods*; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D000075402:Channelrhodopsins; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; C054562:yellow fluorescent protein, Bacteria