Optical imaging of the spontaneous depolarization wave in the mouse embryo: origins and pharmacological nature

• Published in: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Vol. 1279; no. 1; pp. 60 - 70
• Main Authors: Momose-Sato, Yoko, Sato, Katsushige
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.03.2013; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Animals; Brain - drug effects; Brain - embryology; Brain - physiology; Brain Mapping - methods; Correlation; Depolarization; depolarization wave; development; Embryo, Nonmammalian - cytology; Embryo, Nonmammalian - drug effects; Embryo, Nonmammalian - physiology; Embryos; Humans; Imaging; Mammals; Membrane Potentials - drug effects; Membrane Potentials - physiology; Mice; Models, Biological; Movements; Neural Pathways - drug effects; Neural Pathways - embryology; Neurogenesis - physiology; Neurotransmitter Agents - metabolism; Neurotransmitter Agents - pharmacology; Optical Imaging - methods; optical recording; Rats; Spinal Cord - drug effects; Spinal Cord - embryology; Spinal Cord - physiology; Spontaneous; spontaneous activity; voltage-sensitive dye; Wave propagation
• ISSN: 0077-8923; 1749-6632
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2012.06806.x

Spontaneous embryonic movements, called embryonic motility, are produced by correlated spontaneous activity in the cranial and spinal nerves, which is driven by brainstem and spinal networks. Using optical imaging with a voltage‐sensitive dye, we revealed previously in the chick and rat embryos that this correlated activity is a widely propagating wave of neural depolarization, which we termed the depolarization wave. One important consideration is whether a depolarization wave with similar characteristics occurs in other species, especially in different mammals. Here, we provide evidence for the existence of the depolarization wave in the mouse embryo by summarizing spatiotemporal characteristics and pharmacological natures of the widely propagating wave activity. The findings show that a synchronized wave with common characteristics is expressed in different species, suggesting its fundamental roles in neural development.