Infrared videomicroscopy: a new look at neuronal structure and function

• Published in: Trends in neurosciences (Regular ed.) Vol. 17; no. 11; pp. 453 - 458
• Main Authors: Dodt, Hans-Ulrich, Zieglga¨nsberger, Walter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.11.1994; Elsevier Science; Elsevier Sequoia S.A
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Brain - cytology; Brain - physiology; Cell Death; Cell Movement; Electrophysiology - methods; Forecasting; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects. Models. Methods; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Infrared radiation; Infrared Rays; Medical imaging; Microscopy, Video - methods; Neurology; Neurons; Neurons - drug effects; Neurons - physiology; Neurons - ultrastructure; Neurotoxins - pharmacology; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; Neuron; Microscopy; Migration; Morphology; Review; Excitation; Method; In vitro
• ISSN: 0166-2236; 1878-108X
• DOI: 10.1016/0166-2236(94)90130-9

Brain slices were introduced as a standard preparation for neurophysiological experiments some 20 years ago. A drawback of this preparation compared with cell culture has been the difficulty to visualize individual neurones in standard thick slices. This problem has been overcome by the use of infrared videomicroscopy. Neurones in slices can now be visualized in great detail, and neuronal processes can be patch-clamped under direct visual control. Infrared videomicroscopy has also been applied successfully to other fields of neuroscience such as neuronal development and neurotoxicity. A further development of infrared videomicroscopy enables one to visualize the spread of excitation in slices making the technique a tool for the direct investigation of neuronal function.