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Deploying Realistic Neuron Analogues for Patch Clamp Technique Education

Publication Type : Conference Paper

Thematic Areas : Learning-Technologies, Medical Sciences, Biotech

Publisher : Proceedings of the International symposium on Translational Neuroscience & XXXII Annual Conference of the Indian Academy of Neurosciences, NIMHANS, Bangalore , India

Source : Proceedings of the International symposium on Translational Neuroscience & XXXII Annual Conference of the Indian Academy of Neurosciences, NIMHANS, Bangalore , India (2014)

Url : https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275026308_Deploying_realistic_neuron_analogues_for_patch_clamp_technique_education

Campus : Amritapuri

School : School of Biotechnology, Centre for Cybersecurity Systems and Networks

Center : Computational Neuroscience and Neurophysiology, Amrita Mind Brain Center, Biotechnology, Cyber Security

Department : cyber Security, biotechnology

Year : 2014

Abstract : The slice patch clamp technique is a powerful tool for investigating learning-induced neural plasticity in specific brain regions. To analyze motor-learning induced plasticity, we trained rats using an accelerated rotor rod task. Rats performed the task 10 times at 30-s intervals for 1 or 2 days. Performance was significantly improved on the training days compared to the first trial. We then prepared acute brain slices of the primary motor cortex (M1) in untrained and trained rats. Current-clamp analysis showed dynamic changes in resting membrane potential, spike threshold, afterhyperpolarization, and membrane resistance in layer II/III pyramidal neurons. Current injection induced many more spikes in 2-day trained rats than in untrained controls. To analyze contextual-learning induced plasticity, we trained rats using an inhibitory avoidance (IA) task. After experiencing foot-shock in the dark side of a box, the rats learned to avoid it, staying in the lighted side. We prepared acute hippocampal slices from untrained, IA-trained, unpaired, and walk-through rats. Voltage-clamp analysis was used to sequentially record miniature excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs and mIPSCs) from the same CA1 neuron. We found different mean mEPSC and mIPSC amplitudes in each CA1 neuron, suggesting that each neuron had different postsynaptic strengths at its excitatory and inhibitory synapses. Moreover, compared with untrained controls, IA-trained rats had higher mEPSC and mIPSC amplitudes, with broad diversity. These results suggested that contextual learning creates postsynaptic diversity in both excitatory and inhibitory synapses at each CA1 neuron. AMPA or GABAA receptors seemed to mediate the postsynaptic currents, since bath treatment with CNQX or bicuculline blocked the mEPSC or mIPSC events, respectively. This technique can be used to study different types of learning in other regions, such as the sensory cortex and amygdala.

Cite this Research Publication : D. Kumar, Dr. Bipin G. Nair, Dr. Shyam Diwakar, and Dr. Krishnashree Achuthan, “Deploying realistic neuron analogues for patch clamp technique education”, in Proceedings of the International symposium on Translational Neuroscience & XXXII Annual Conference of the Indian Academy of Neurosciences, NIMHANS, Bangalore , India, Nov 1-Nov 3,2014.

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