A novel carbon fiber bundle microelectrode and modified brain slice chamber for recording long-term multiunit activity from brain slices

T. K. Tcheng, M. U. Gillette

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The fabrication and characteristics of a novel multiunit recording electrode and modified brain slice chamber suitable for long-term recording from brain slices are described. The electrode consisted of an electrolyte-filled glass micropipette with a 20-50 μm thick wax-coated bundle of 5-μm diameter carbon fibers extending 2.5 cm from the tapered end and an AgCl-coated silver wire inserted into the open end and connected to a preamplifier. Both ends of the electrode were sealed with wax to prevent evaporation of the electrolyte. The brain slice was maintained over this extended period in an interface-type brain slice chamber modified to completely surround the slice with medium. Using this electrode, regular 24-h oscillations of spontaneous multiunit activity were recorded for 3 days from a single location in a 500 μm thick rat suprachiasmatic nucleus brain slice. Preliminary data suggest that this novel carbon fiber bundle electrode will be a favorable alternative to traditional meter electrodes for long-term recording of multiunit activity from brain slices.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)163-169
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Neuroscience Methods
Volume69
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1996

Keywords

  • Brain slice
  • Carbon fiber
  • Circadian rhythm
  • Electrode
  • Hypothalamus
  • Long-term recording
  • Multiunit activity
  • Suprachiasmatic nucleus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

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