Into + methods in modern neuroscience Flashcards
What type of synapse is the most studied for memory formation?
Glutaminergic synapses
glutamate is excitatory + common in CNS
Binds to various receptors - particularly NMDA + AMPA
What is the principle inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS?
GABA
What is fMRI?
functional magnetic resonance imaging
measures brain activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow
is a good way of studying brain areas involved in visual processing
when neurons are active - need energy - brain areas need a lot of oxygen
is non-invasive
What does Nissl staining do?
stains the nucleus
What does Golgi staining do?
makes a small % of neurons darkly coloured
revealed the neuronal cell body
What was Cajals theory about neurons?
neurites of different axons are not continuous
they communicate from contact not continuity
How are enhancer traps used to study neurons?
contains transposable element + a reporter gene
Green fluorescent protein
allows to characterize individual neurons
Con:
does not allow staining of individual neurons
Cannot control what neuron you label
Cannot combine electrophysiology and morphology assessment for the same cell
What are sharp electrode recordings?
simplest form of electrophysiological recording
glass electrode/ capillary w/ very thin tip
micromanipulators used - precise movements - insert the electrode into the cell body into the soma
compare the difference in potential on different sides of the membrane
can detect action potentials - do analysis, frequency
What are the disadvantages of sharp electrode recordings?
no solution change inside or outside the cell
limited possibility for controlling membrane potential
cannot measure single channels
What is the patch clamp method ?
electrode with bigger hole used
bring electrode close to the membrane
when touch membrane - apply negative pressure - try to suck part of the membrane into the electrode
tight connection btwn the membrane and electrode
no ions can move
What are the 4 different types of patch clamp methods?
- On-cell
- Inside out
- Whole cell
- outside out
What is on-cell patch clamp?
cell attach
allows you to measure the activity of individual channels
if neurons generate action potential - will also measure ap
What is inside-out patch clamp?
remove the electrode - some part of the membrane remains
record individual ion channels - good control over solution inside cell
change solution around the electrode - mimic ECS
What is whole cell patch clamp?
apply a stringer negative pressure - break art of the membrane
record currents through the rest of the membrane
and set up specific membrane potential
change solution inside the electrode
What is outside out patch clamp?
the outer part of the membrane exposed
can change the solution in the outer part of the membrane
+ record activity in individual neurons
