We report on the recording of electrical activity in cultured hippocampal slices by a multi-transistor array (MTA) with 16384 elements. Time-resolved imaging is achieved with a resolution of 7.8 µm on an area of 1 mm² at 2 kHz. A read-out of fewer elements allows an enhanced time resolution. Individual transistor signals are caused by local evoked field potentials. They agree with micropipette measurements in amplitude and shape. The spatial continuity of the records provides time-resolved images of evoked field potentials and allows the detection of functional correlations over large distances. As examples, fast propagating waves of presynaptic action potentials are recorded as well as patterns of excitatory postsynaptic potentials across and along cornu ammonis.

Time resolved images of field potential in cultured hippocampal slice measured by a mulit-transistor array (MTA). Recording area 1 mm x 1 mm. Eight frames are selected at different times after stimulation in stratum pyramidale of CA3 region with a tungsten microelectrode (see Figure 3a). Left column: slice perfused with recording medium containing DNQX and AP5. Right column: slice perfused with normal recording medium. Color code at the bottom.

A movie of the complete dynamics is available in high resolution (Quicktime, 27 MB) as well as medium resolution (Quicktime, 8 MB). Real time is indicated in the lower right corner. To show the details of the negative transients, time was stretched for the first 4 ms by a factor of 10.

---

  Top

Print

---

© 2011, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried