An in vivo method for recording single unit activity in lumbar spinal cord in mice anesthetized with a volatile anesthetic

Brain Res Brain Res Protoc. 2004 Jun;13(2):126-34. doi: 10.1016/j.brainresprot.2004.03.002.

Abstract

We describe a method to record single unit neuronal activity from mouse spinal cord using volatile anesthesia. The small size of the mouse can complicate usual methods that are used for single-unit recording in rats, but simple modifications can significantly increase the number of successful recordings. Stabilization of the vertebral column is particularly important, as are adequate ventilation of the animal, control of body temperature and accurate determination of anesthetic concentrations in respiratory gas samples.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / drug effects
  • Action Potentials / physiology*
  • Anesthesia / methods*
  • Anesthesiology / instrumentation
  • Anesthetics, Inhalation / metabolism
  • Anesthetics, Inhalation / pharmacokinetics
  • Animals
  • Body Temperature / drug effects
  • Body Temperature / physiology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Electrophysiology / instrumentation
  • Electrophysiology / methods*
  • Lumbar Vertebrae
  • Male
  • Mechanoreceptors / drug effects
  • Mechanoreceptors / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Neurophysiology / instrumentation
  • Neurophysiology / methods*
  • Neurosurgical Procedures / instrumentation
  • Neurosurgical Procedures / methods
  • Nociceptors / drug effects
  • Nociceptors / physiology
  • Physical Stimulation
  • Respiration, Artificial / instrumentation
  • Respiration, Artificial / methods
  • Spinal Cord / drug effects
  • Spinal Cord / physiology*
  • Spine / anatomy & histology
  • Spine / physiology

Substances

  • Anesthetics, Inhalation