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Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Optical Recording of Electrical Activity in Guinea-pig Enteric Networks using Voltage-sensitive Dyes
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Optical Recording of Electrical Activity in Guinea-pig Enteric Networks using Voltage-sensitive Dyes

Published on: December 4, 2009

Recordings from human myenteric neurons using voltage-sensitive dyes.

Sheila Vignali1, Nadine Peter, Güralp Ceyhan

  • 1Human Biology, Technische Universität München, Liesel-Beckmann-Strasse 4, 85354 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany.

Journal of Neuroscience Methods
|August 10, 2010
PubMed
Summary

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This study introduces a new protocol for voltage-sensitive dye (VSD) imaging of human myenteric neurons, overcoming previous challenges in dye accessibility and visibility. The developed method enables reliable neural recordings in both freshly dissected tissues and cell cultures.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Gastroenterology
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Voltage-sensitive dye (VSD) imaging is crucial for studying neural activity in the enteric nervous system (ENS).
  • Previous VSD imaging methods faced challenges with human myenteric neurons due to poor visibility and dye access.
  • Submucous neurons in human tissue were routinely imaged, but myenteric neurons remained difficult to study.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and optimize a protocol for VSD imaging of human myenteric neurons in both ex vivo tissue and primary cultures.
  • To overcome limitations in dye accessibility and ganglion visibility for accurate neural recordings.
  • To establish a reliable method for studying human myenteric neuron activity.

Main Methods:

  • Tested various voltage-sensitive dyes (VSDs) including Annine-6Plus, Di-4-ANEPPS, Di-8-ANEPPQ, Di-4-ANEPPDHQ, and Di-8-ANEPPS for imaging human myenteric neurons.

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Optical Imaging of Neurons in the Crab Stomatogastric Ganglion with Voltage-sensitive Dyes
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Last Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Optical Recording of Electrical Activity in Guinea-pig Enteric Networks using Voltage-sensitive Dyes
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Optical Recording of Electrical Activity in Guinea-pig Enteric Networks using Voltage-sensitive Dyes

Published on: December 4, 2009

Voltage-sensitive Dye Recording from Axons, Dendrites and Dendritic Spines of Individual Neurons in Brain Slices
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Voltage-sensitive Dye Recording from Axons, Dendrites and Dendritic Spines of Individual Neurons in Brain Slices

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  • Utilized 4-Di-2-ASP for visualizing myenteric ganglia prior to targeted VSD application.
  • Employed intraganglionic injection of Di-8-ANEPPS, with and without dipicrylamine, and VSD imaging in primary cultures.
  • Used electrical stimulation, nicotine, and KCl to evoke action potentials in guinea-pig and human myenteric neurons.

    • Main Results:

    • Standard bath application of most VSDs failed to detect neural signals in human myenteric neurons, unlike in guinea-pig models.
    • Intraganglionic injection of Di-8-ANEPPS was the only successful VSD method for detecting signals in human tissue.
    • Adding dipicrylamine to Di-8-ANEPPS significantly improved the signal-to-noise ratio (0.98±0.16 to 2.4±0.62).
    • VSD imaging in primary cultures of human myenteric neurons further enhanced signal-to-noise ratio, enabling routine spike discharge recordings.

    Conclusions:

    • A novel protocol for voltage-sensitive dye imaging of human myenteric neurons has been successfully established.
    • Intraganglionic injection and the use of dipicrylamine are key to successful VSD recordings in human myenteric neurons.
    • This protocol advances the study of human myenteric neuron function and may be applicable to other fluorescent dye applications in human tissues.