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Investigation of Synaptic Microcircuits Using Patch-Clamp Paired Recordings in Acute Brain Slices

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Patch-Clamp Methods and Protocols

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1183))

Abstract

Multiple patch clamp recordings represent a powerful tool to investigate functional synaptic connectivity among individual cells. This technical approach is particularly useful to study the synaptic organization of microcircuits in certain brain areas, e.g., the striatum, which are characterized by heterogeneous cell populations and an apparent lack of an anatomically ordered cytoarchitecture. Fast-spiking interneurons (FSIs) represent less than 1 % of striatal neurons, but despite their rareness they exert a strong influence on signal processing by striatal microcircuits and principal cells output. Little is known about the functional properties of chemical and electrical synapses connecting striatal FSIs to each other. Here we describe a simple dual patch clamp approach to investigate electrical and GABAergic synapses in mouse neostriatal slices.

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Correspondence to Stefano Taverna .

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Russo, G., Taverna, S. (2014). Investigation of Synaptic Microcircuits Using Patch-Clamp Paired Recordings in Acute Brain Slices. In: Martina, M., Taverna, S. (eds) Patch-Clamp Methods and Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1183. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1096-0_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1096-0_11

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-1095-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-1096-0

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