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Neuronal thermosensitivity and survival of rat hypothalamic slices in recording chambers
Several studies have examined the activity of neurons in hypothalamic tissue slices. The present experiments studied relationships between neuronal activity (firing rate and thermosensitivity) and tissue survival as a function of time and slice thickness. Rat hypothalamic tissue slices were sectione...
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Published in: | Brain research 1997-11, Vol.777 (1), p.31-41 |
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Main Authors: | , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Citations: | Items that this one cites Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | Several studies have examined the activity of neurons in hypothalamic tissue slices. The present experiments studied relationships between neuronal activity (firing rate and thermosensitivity) and tissue survival as a function of time and slice thickness. Rat hypothalamic tissue slices were sectioned at different thicknesses (350, 450, and 600
μm) and maintained in an oxygenated interface chamber which was perfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF). Electron and light microscopy were used to examine tissue morphology at different depths from the slice surfaces, and extracellular recordings were used to measure each cell's spontaneous activity and response to changes in temperature. Tissue damage was most evident at tissue layers nearest the gas-exposed surface. At 9 h in the chamber, 350
μm thick slices showed subtle changes in morphology with little difference between the gas-exposed and ACSF-exposed surfaces. In the 450 and 600
μm thick slices, tissue degeneration became more evident with increased damage at the gas-exposed surface. This damage extended fully into the tissue of the 600
μm section. There were no differences in firing rate or thermosensitivity between 350 and 450
μm slices; but in 600
μm slices, there were fewer spontaneously active neurons, although these neurons had a higher mean thermosensitivity. Based on the incidence of spontaneous activity and morphological integrity, the results suggest that electrophysiological experiments using 350
μm slices are preferable to experiments using thicker slices. |
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ISSN: | 0006-8993 1872-6240 |
DOI: | 10.1016/S0006-8993(97)00671-9 |