Approach to Minimize Damage Resulting from Microelectrode Insertion into Neuron

Abstract

Penetration of a microelectrode into the cell soma is one of the most vulnerable stages of the method intracellular recording. Traumatic neuronal activity after piercing the membrane with a microelectrode can be an indicator of neuronal damage. In this paper we report the results from tests of our pulse electromagnetic micromanipulator. This device is designed to reduce the neuronal damage during the insertion of a microelectrode and to allow the penetration into the cell to be more controlled. Intracellular recordings were employed in experiments carried out on neurons of the isolated central nervous system of the grape snail (Helix pomatia). The results obtained by using our micromanipulator show the absence of a pronounced neuronal reaction in response to the invasion of a microelectrode, the cell rapidly return to a stable state, and registration of neuronal activity is possible for a long period of time (many hours). These findings indicate the relevance of using the proposed device in experiments that record intracellular activity of the cells of the nervous system and other excitable tissues.