Electrophysiology Measurements for Studying Neural Interfaces

Mohammad M. Aria

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9780128170700
• eBook ISBN: 9780128170717
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: Physiology

Electrophysiology Measurements for Studying Neural Interfaces helps readers to choose a proper cell line and set-up for studying different bio-electronic interfaces before delving into the electrophysiology techniques available. Therefore, this book details the materials and devices needed for different types of neural stimulation such as photoelectrical and photothermal stimulations. Also, modern techniques like optical electrophysiology and calcium imaging in this book provides readers with more available approaches to monitor neural activities in addition to whole-cell patch-clamp technology. - Details steps of an electrophysiology project from start to finish for graduate students employing the technique in their research - Includes sample electrophysiological studies with multiple cell lines (PC12, N2a, NG108, SHSY, and embryonic stem cell lines) to facilitate research - Features data analysis of electrophysiology results from various relevant experiments and cell culture tips

Chapter 1

Bioelectricity and excitable membranes

Abstract

Bioelectricity in the form of ion fluxes is used for electrical communication by cells and tissues. Ionic gradients could be generated by the activity of voltage-gated ion channels. These ionic gradients are propagated as electrical signals among neurons and by the spread of excitation in heart and skeletal muscle. In this chapter, the structure of a neuron cell, including cell body and membrane, is explained to clarify the role of voltage-gated ion channels in neuronal activities. Retinal cells have been chosen for this neuron cell model, and their function has been described to illustrate a neuronal circuit and how their elements work together and perform neuronal functions. In addition, the superfamily of voltage-gated ion channels includes sodium, potassium, calcium voltage-gated ion channels, and others, including the large and diverse transient receptor potential (TRP) channel family, whose members respond when temperature, irritants, and other sensory inputs are introduced. Finally, based on a remarkable quantitative model of action potential introduced by Hodgkin-Huxley, the role of different ion channels in action potential shape has been explained.

Keywords

Action potential; Electrical excitability; Hodgkin-Huxley model; Neurons; Retinal cells; Voltage-gated ion channels

1.1. Introduction

Electrical signals are generated, propagated, and processed in the brain. To implement different functions, the brain uses different neuronal circuits including different types of neurons and connections. The author begins with retinal cells as some of the most interesting neurons and their functions, together with photoreceptors that enable vision. The visual system includes retinal cells, photoreceptors, and visual cortex neurons. In fact, photoreceptors play the role of sensors that receive visual information from the environment. This information will be transmitted in a complex network of different types of neurons to the visual cortex with optic nerve. The visual cortex also has many different types of neurons, and they form different circuits to implement different functions. To begin with the basis of a neuronal circuit, one needs to understand elements of a neuronal circuits and how they work together to implement a function. More importantly, each neuron has voltage-gated ion channels or excitable membranes that enable them to receive and send electrical signals. The basic concept of excitable membranes and voltage-gated ion channels in cell physiology is the central focus of this chapter.

Decoding the content of neuronal signals is a major goal of neurobiological research. As different neuronal circuits have different roles, the meaning of the signals depends on their origin and where they are transmitted, as well as signal parameters such as the frequency and duration of activation. Each individual nerve cell can receive thousands of inputs from other neurons. In this way, with integrating this input information, the cell generates a new output message that can send a new complex meaning, such as the presence of light with different colors in one's field of vision.

This chapter explains how neuronal activities from a big picture (function of a group of cells in a circuit) to a small picture of a single neuron enable specific functions. In the following, basic components of a neuron including cell body, axons, a...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Preface
• Chapter 1. Bioelectricity and excitable membranes
• Chapter 2. Principle of whole-cell patch-clamp and its applications in neural interface studies
• Chapter 3. Electrophysiological characteristics of neuron-like cancer cells and their applications for studying neural interfaces
• Chapter 4. In vivo electrophysiology
• Chapter 5. Calcium imaging and optical electrophysiology
• Chapter 6. Electronic circuits in patch-clamp system
• Index