Optical recording of action potentials from vertebrate nerve terminals using potentiometric probes provides evidence for sodium and calcium components

Nature ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 306 (5938) ◽  
pp. 36-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. M. Salzberg ◽  
A. L. Obaid ◽  
D. M. Senseman ◽  
H. Gainer
Keyword(s):  
Action Potentials ◽  
Optical Recording ◽  
Nerve Terminals

Two-Photon Excitation of Potentiometric Probes Enables Optical Recording of Action Potentials From Mammalian Nerve Terminals In Situ

2008 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 1545-1553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan A. N. Fisher ◽  
Jonathan R. Barchi ◽  
Cristin G. Welle ◽  
Gi-Ho Kim ◽  
Paul Kosterin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Action Potentials ◽  
Optical Recording ◽  
Photon Absorption ◽  
Nerve Terminals ◽  
Electrode Arrays ◽  
Two Photon ◽  
Photon Excitation ◽  
Mammalian Nerve ◽  
Two Photon Excitation

We report the first optical recordings of action potentials, in single trials, from one or a few (∼1–2 μm) mammalian nerve terminals in an intact in vitro preparation, the mouse neurohypophysis. The measurements used two-photon excitation along the “blue” edge of the two-photon absorption spectrum of di-3-ANEPPDHQ (a fluorescent voltage-sensitive naphthyl styryl-pyridinium dye), and epifluorescence detection, a configuration that is critical for noninvasive recording of electrical activity from intact brains. Single-trial recordings of action potentials exhibited signal-to-noise ratios of ∼5:1 and fractional fluorescence changes of up to ∼10%. This method, by virtue of its optical sectioning capability, deep tissue penetration, and efficient epifluorescence detection, offers clear advantages over linear, as well as other nonlinear optical techniques used to monitor voltage changes in localized neuronal regions, and provides an alternative to invasive electrode arrays for studying neuronal systems in vivo.

An intracellular study of chemosensory fibers and endings

1980 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 1077-1088 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Hayashida ◽  
H. Koyano ◽  
C. Eyzaguirre
Keyword(s):  
Carotid Body ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Physiological Saline ◽  
Mean Amplitude ◽  
Nerve Fibers ◽  
Chemical Stimulation ◽  
Nerve Terminals ◽  
Generator Potential ◽  
Single Nerve ◽  
Frequency Changes

1. The carotid body and its nerve, removed from anesthetized cats, were placed in physiological saline flowing under paraffin oil. The nerve, lifted into the oil, was used for either electrical stimulation or recording of the total afferent discharge. Intracellular recordings were obtained from individual nerve fibers and endings within the carotid body. The recording sites were identified by injecting Procion yellow through the intracellular electrodes; the tissues were then prepared for histology and observed with episcopic fluorescence or Nomarski optics. 2. Intracellularly recorded chemosensory fibers conducted at 1.1-30 m/s and usually displayed action potentials of regular amplitude. At times, however, some spikes become partially blocked while others maintained their original amplitude. "Natural" (hypoxia) or chemical (ACh or NaCN) stimulation induced different patterns of frequency changes of the large and small action potentials. This indicated nerve fiber branching at some distance from the recording site. 3. Intra- and extracellularly recorded spikes were blocked in 0 [Na+]0 by tetrodotoxin (TTX) or procaine. 4. During chemical stimulation, a slowly occurring depolarization (receptor or generator potential) was recorded intracellularly from the afferent fibers. It developed concomitantly with the increase in discharge. 5. Impalement of single nerve terminals (histologically identified) showed numerous "spontaneous" depolarizing potentials (SDPs) that had a mean amplitude of 5.6 mV, a mean duration of 46.1 ms, and nearly random distribution. They increased in frequency and summated during chemical stimulation. SDPs originated from either the site of recording or from neighboring areas. When the SDPs attained a certain amplitude, they seemed to give rise to action potentials. Also, relatively well developed or partially blocked spikes (apparently originating elsewhere) were recorded from single nerve terminals. 6. The receptor (generator) potential of chemosensory receptors appears to be an integrated response formed by multiple activity originating in different nerve endings.

Passive current flow and morphology in the terminal arborizations of the posterior pituitary

1993 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 692-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. B. Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Action Potentials ◽  
Current Flow ◽  
Membrane Properties ◽  
Nerve Terminals ◽  
Posterior Pituitary ◽  
Cable Theory ◽  
Cable Properties ◽  
Length Constant ◽  
Passive Current ◽  
Current Transients

1. Patch-clamp techniques were used to study the morphology and electrotonic properties of the terminal arborizations of the posterior pituitary. 2. Neurobiotin-labeling experiments revealed axons and swellings connected to the structure that was patch clamped. The large swellings were en passant and situated along axons in a topological arrangement identical to that of the small varicosities. Axons had many varicosities and few branches, reflecting a predominant architectural motif of beads on a string rather than berries on a bush. 3. Cable theory was used to analyze passive current transients produced by voltage steps under whole-cell clamp. Most charging transients were not consistent with an equivalent cylinder representation as posited by the Rall model for a motoneuron. A few charging transients were consistent with the Rall model and provided estimates for basic membrane and cable properties. 4. Some of the charging transients that violated predictions of the Rall model were consistent with an alternative model, in which the patch-clamped swelling was assumed to be coupled to another swelling by a segment of axon. This model was called the Dumbbell model, and it, together with the neurobiotin-labeling experiments, indicated that a significant number of large swellings were less than one length constant away from another large swelling. 5. Large swellings can have diameters approximately 30 times larger than the diameters of the connecting axons. These swellings lie along the axon such that action potentials must propagate through them to spread excitation through the entire terminal arborization. These large swellings could be sites where action-potential propagation is more likely to fail. 6. The information presented here about neurohypophysial nerve terminals should be useful in further investigations of how terminal arborization geometry and membrane properties influence neurosecretion and synaptic transmission.

Optical Recording of Action Potentials and Other Discrete Physiological Events: A Perspective from Signal Detection Theory

Physiology ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Sjulson ◽  
Gero Miesenböck
Keyword(s):  
Action Potential ◽  
Signal Detection ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Signal Detection Theory ◽  
Biological Function ◽  
Optical Recording ◽  
Trial Data ◽  
Single Trial ◽  
Optical Reporters ◽  
Potential Recording

Optical imaging of physiological events in real time can yield insights into biological function that would be difficult to obtain by other experimental means. However, the detection of all-or-none events, such as action potentials or vesicle fusion events, in noisy single-trial data often requires a careful balance of tradeoffs. The analysis of such experiments, as well as the design of optical reporters and instrumentation for them, is aided by an understanding of the principles of signal detection. This review illustrates these principles, using as an example action potential recording with optical voltage reporters.

TRPA1 in bradykinin-induced mechanical hypersensitivity of vagal C fibers in guinea pig esophagus

2009 ◽  
Vol 296 (2) ◽  
pp. G255-G265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaoyong Yu ◽  
Ann Ouyang
Keyword(s):  
Guinea Pig ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Transient Receptor Potential ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Sensory Nerve ◽  
Sensory Nerves ◽  
Peripheral Sensitization ◽  
Nerve Terminals ◽  
Mechanical Hypersensitivity ◽  
C Fibers

Bradykinin (BK) activates sensory nerves and causes hyperalgesia. Transient receptor potential A1 (TRPA1) is expressed in sensory nerves and mediates cold, mechanical, and chemical nociception. TRPA1 can be activated by BK. TRPA1 knockout mice show impaired responses to BK and mechanical nociception. However, direct evidence from sensory nerve terminals is lacking. This study aims to determine the role of TRPA1 in BK-induced visceral mechanical hypersensitivity. Extracellular recordings of action potentials from vagal nodose and jugular neurons are performed in an ex vivo guinea pig esophageal-vagal preparation. Peak frequencies of action potentials of afferent nerves evoked by esophageal distension and chemical perfusion are recorded and compared. BK activates most nodose and all jugular C fibers. This activation is repeatable and associated with a significant increase in response to esophageal distension, which can be prevented by the B2 receptor antagonist WIN64338. TRPA1 agonist allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) activates most BK-positive nodose and jugular C fibers. This is associated with a transient loss of response to mechanical distensions and desensitization to a second AITC perfusion. Desensitization with AITC and pretreatment with TRPA1 inhibitor HC-030031 both inhibit BK-induced mechanical hypersensitivity but do not affect BK-evoked activation in nodose and jugular C fibers. In contrast, esophageal vagal afferent Aδ fibers do not respond to BK or AITC and fail to show mechanical hypersensitivity after BK perfusion. This provides the first evidence directly from visceral sensory afferent nerve terminals that TRPA1 mediates BK-induced mechanical hypersensitivity. This reveals a novel mechanism of visceral peripheral sensitization.

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