James P Dunham1, Anna C Sales2, Anthony E Pickering3. 1. School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; Anaesthesia, Pain & Critical Care Sciences, Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, BS2 8HW, United Kingdom. Electronic address: james.p.dunham@bristol.ac.uk. 2. School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom. 3. School of Physiology, Pharmacology & Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; Anaesthesia, Pain & Critical Care Sciences, Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, BS2 8HW, United Kingdom.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Microneurography is the only method for recording from single neurons in intact human nerves. It is challenging - requiring technical expertise, investment in specialised equipment and has sparse data yields. METHODS: We assessed whether ultrasound guidance in combination with an 'open access' amplifier and data capture system (Open-Ephys) would simplify and expand the scope of microneurographic recordings in humans. RESULTS: In 32 healthy consenting volunteers, ultrasound-guidance improved success rates for obtaining cutaneous C-fibres and reduced "Skin to Nerve" times from 28.5 min to 4.5 min for recordings of the peroneal nerve (P < 0.0001). We illustrate the potential utility of ultrasound-guided microneurography for difficult to access nerves with phrenic nerve recording during a Valsalva manoeuvre. We show that Open Ephys is a viable alternative to commercially available recording systems and offers advantages in terms of cost and software customisability. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound guidance for microneurography with Open Ephys facilitates cutaneous C nociceptor recordings and allows recordings to be made from nerves previously considered inaccessible. SIGNIFICANCE: We anticipate that the adoption of these techniques will improve microneurography experimental efficiency, adds an important visual learning aid and increases the generalisability of the approach.
OBJECTIVE: Microneurography is the only method for recording from single neurons in intact human nerves. It is challenging - requiring technical expertise, investment in specialised equipment and has sparse data yields. METHODS: We assessed whether ultrasound guidance in combination with an 'open access' amplifier and data capture system (Open-Ephys) would simplify and expand the scope of microneurographic recordings in humans. RESULTS: In 32 healthy consenting volunteers, ultrasound-guidance improved success rates for obtaining cutaneous C-fibres and reduced "Skin to Nerve" times from 28.5 min to 4.5 min for recordings of the peroneal nerve (P < 0.0001). We illustrate the potential utility of ultrasound-guided microneurography for difficult to access nerves with phrenic nerve recording during a Valsalva manoeuvre. We show that Open Ephys is a viable alternative to commercially available recording systems and offers advantages in terms of cost and software customisability. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound guidance for microneurography with Open Ephys facilitates cutaneous C nociceptor recordings and allows recordings to be made from nerves previously considered inaccessible. SIGNIFICANCE: We anticipate that the adoption of these techniques will improve microneurography experimental efficiency, adds an important visual learning aid and increases the generalisability of the approach.
Authors: Kateryna Voitiuk; Jinghui Geng; Matthew G Keefe; David F Parks; Sebastian E Sanso; Nico Hawthorne; Daniel B Freeman; Rob Currie; Mohammed A Mostajo-Radji; Alex A Pollen; Tomasz J Nowakowski; Sofie R Salama; Mircea Teodorescu; David Haussler Journal: J Neural Eng Date: 2021-11-12 Impact factor: 5.379
Authors: Roger Holmes Watkins; Mario Durao de Carvalho Amante; Helena Backlund Wasling; Johan Wessberg; Rochelle Ackerley Journal: J Physiol Date: 2022-06-01 Impact factor: 6.228