Mapping Auditory Synaptic Circuits with Photostimulation of Caged Glutamate.
Photostimulation of neurons with caged glutamate is a viable tool for mapping the strength and spatial distribution of synaptic networks in living brain slices. In photostimulation experiments, synaptic connectivity is assessed by eliciting action potentials in putative presynaptic neurons via focal photolysis of caged glutamate, while measuring postsynaptic responses via intracellular recordings. Two approaches are commonly used for delivering light to small, defined areas in the slice preparation; an optical fiber-based method and a laser-scanning-based method. In this chapter, we outline the technical bases for using photostimulation of caged glutamate to map synaptic circuits, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using fiber-based vs. laser-based systems.
Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Ear and Eye Institute, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.|Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.|Medical Scientist Training Program, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
Joshua J
JJ
Sturm
Department of Physics, The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ, 08628, USA.
Tuan
T
Nguyen
Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, Ear and Eye Institute, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA. kkarl@pitt.edu.|Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA. kkarl@pitt.edu.|Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA. kkarl@pitt.edu.
Karl
K
Kandler
D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D010782:Photolysis; D051381:Rats; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*
D018698:Glutamic Acid
Auditory circuit connectivity; Fiber-based uncaging; Glutamate uncaging; Laser scanning; Photostimulation; Synaptic input mapping