Work

Spinal Cord Electrophysiology II: Extracellular Suction Electrode Fabrication

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: Development of neural circuitries and locomotion can be studied using neonatal rodent spinal cord central pattern generator (CPG) behavior. We demonstrate a method to fabricate suction electrodes that are used to examine CPG activity, or fictive locomotion, in dissected rodent spinal cords. The rodent spinal cords are placed in artificial cerebrospinal fluid and the ventral roots are drawn into the suction electrode. The electrode is constructed by modifying a commercially available suction electrode. A heavier silver wire is used instead of the standard wire given by the commercially available electrode. The glass tip on the commercial electrode is replaced with a plastic tip for increased durability. We prepare hand drawn electrodes and electrodes made from specific sizes of tubing, allowing consistency and reproducibility. Data is collected using an amplifier and neurogram acquisition software. Recordings are performed on an air table within a Faraday cage to prevent mechanical and electrical interference, respectively.

Source: Journal of Visualized Experiments

DOI: 10.3791/2580

Authors: Suresh Garudadri, Benjamin Gallarda, Samuel Pfaff, William Alaynick

Institutions: Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Language: English

Topic: Neuroscience and Neural Engineering

Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Award: G557768473