title: Mapping Synaptic Inputs of Developing Neurons Using Calcium Imaging.
abstract: Studying changing synaptic activity patterns during development provides a wealth of information on how activity-dependent processes shape synaptic connectivity. In this chapter we introduce a method that combines whole-cell electrophysiology with calcium imaging to map functional synaptic sites on the dendritic tree and follow their activity over time. The key strength of this method lies in its ability to distinguish between synaptic and non-synaptic calcium signaling by their coincidence with synaptic currents measured at the soma. Next to the required materials and protocols that are necessary to perform these experiments, we thoroughly discuss how the acquired data can be analyzed. Since this method can be employed in many neuronal systems we believe that it can be a valuable tool to study developmental changes in synaptic connectivity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Synapse and Network Development, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, Amsterdam, BA, 1105, The Netherlands.|Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA, 20147, USA.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Winnubst
authors.affiliation: Department of Synapse and Network Development, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, Amsterdam, BA, 1105, The Netherlands. c.lohmann@nin.knaw.nl.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lohmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena; D051379:Mice; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium
keywords: Calcium imaging; Development; Spontaneous activity; Synaptome mapping; Whole-cell electrophysiology