Membrane potential dynamics of axons in cultured hippocampal neurons probed by second-harmonic-generation imaging

Mutsuo Nuriya; Masato Yasui

doi:10.1117/1.3365135

1 March 2010 Membrane potential dynamics of axons in cultured hippocampal neurons probed by second-harmonic-generation imaging

Mutsuo Nuriya, Masato Yasui

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Journal of Biomedical Optics, Vol. 15, Issue 2, 020503 (March 2010). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.3365135

Abstract

The electrical properties of axons critically influence the nature of communication between neurons. However, due to their small size, direct measurement of membrane potential dynamics in intact and complex mammalian axons has been a challenge. Furthermore, quantitative optical measurements of axonal membrane potential dynamics have not been available. To characterize the basic principles of somatic voltage signal propagation in intact axonal arbors, second-harmonic-generation (SHG) imaging is applied to cultured mouse hippocampal neurons. When FM4-64 is applied extracellularly to dissociated neurons, whole axonal arbors are visualized by SHG imaging. Upon action potential generation by somatic current injection, nonattenuating action potentials are recorded in intact axonal arbors. Interestingly, however, both current- and voltage-clamp recordings suggest that nonregenerative subthreshold somatic voltage changes at the soma are poorly conveyed to these axonal sites. These results reveal the nature of membrane potential dynamics of cultured hippocampal neurons, and further show the possibility of SHG imaging in physiological investigations of axons.

©(2010) Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)

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Mutsuo Nuriya and Masato Yasui "Membrane potential dynamics of axons in cultured hippocampal neurons probed by second-harmonic-generation imaging," Journal of Biomedical Optics 15(2), 020503 (1 March 2010). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.3365135

Published: 1 March 2010

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