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Mapping Synaptic Inputs of Developing Neurons Using Calcium Imaging

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Synapse Development

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1538))

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Abstract

Studying changing synaptic activity patterns during development provides a wealth of information on how activity-dependent processes shape synaptic connectivity. In this chapter we introduce a method that combines whole-cell electrophysiology with calcium imaging to map functional synaptic sites on the dendritic tree and follow their activity over time. The key strength of this method lies in its ability to distinguish between synaptic and non-synaptic calcium signaling by their coincidence with synaptic currents measured at the soma. Next to the required materials and protocols that are necessary to perform these experiments, we thoroughly discuss how the acquired data can be analyzed. Since this method can be employed in many neuronal systems we believe that it can be a valuable tool to study developmental changes in synaptic connectivity.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Thomas Kleindienst for his significant contribution to the development of the methods described here. The work in laboratory was supported by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO, TOP ZonMw, No 912.10.009; ALW Open Program, No 822.02.006; Vici, No 865.12.001).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Synapse and Network Development, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 47, Amsterdam, BA, 1105, The Netherlands

    Johan Winnubst & Christian Lohmann

  2. Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA, 20147, USA

    Johan Winnubst

Authors
  1. Johan Winnubst
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  2. Christian Lohmann
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christian Lohmann .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

    Alexandros Poulopoulos

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Winnubst, J., Lohmann, C. (2017). Mapping Synaptic Inputs of Developing Neurons Using Calcium Imaging. In: Poulopoulos, A. (eds) Synapse Development. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1538. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6688-2_22

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6688-2_22

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-6686-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-6688-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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