Analysing functional connectivity in brain slices by a combination of infrared video microscopy, flash photolysis of caged compounds and scanning methods.

We evaluate a novel set-up for scanning functional connectivity in brain slices from the somatosensory cortex of the rat. Upright infrared video microscopy for targeted placement of electrodes is combined with rapid photolysis of bath-applied caged neurotransmitter induced by a xenon flash lamp. Flash photolysis of caged glutamate and electrical stimulation produce comparable field potential responses and demonstrate that the viability of the submerged slices exceeds several hours. Glutamate release leads to field potential responses whose two phases are differentially affected by selective blockade of N-methyl-D-aspartate- and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate-type glutamate receptors with DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6-nitro-2,3-dioxo-benzo[f]quinoxaline-7-sulphonamide, respectively. Rapid computer-controlled scanning of hundreds of distinct stimulation sites with simultaneous recordings at a fixed reference site allows construction of functional input maps from peak amplitudes and delays to peak of field potential responses. Selective laminar expansion of the functional input maps after bicuculline application demonstrates that the combination of this conveniently assembled set-up with pharmacological and physical manipulations can provide insights into the determinants of functional connectivity in brain slices.