Work

Calcium imaging of neuronal activity in the most rostral parafacial respiratory group of the newborn rat

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: The parafacial respiratory group (pFRG) is thought to be involved in respiratory rhythm generation in neonates. This subgroup expresses the transcription factor, Phox2b, and contains intrinsically CO(2) sensitive neurons. Calcium imaging has been widely used for analysis of neuronal activity at the cellular and network level. In the present study, we applied calcium imaging to analyze neuronal activity of the most-rostral pFRG in an in vitro brainstem-spinal cord preparation from neonatal rats. We detected strong pre-inspiratory neuron activity in the most rostral pFRG, suggesting that significant numbers of pre-inspiratory neurons are localized in the ventrolateral medulla near the rostral end of the medulla. We show that usage of calcium imaging would be very useful for analysis of neuronal activity over different time scales, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this method.

Source: The Journal of Physiological Sciences

DOI: 10.1007/s12576-011-0179-2

Authors: Hiroshi Onimaru, Mathias Dutschmann

Institutions: SHOWA Medical University, University of Leeds, The University of Melbourne, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health

Language: English

Topic: Neuroscience of respiration and sleep

Subfield: Endocrine and Autonomic Systems

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,900