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Preparation of Rhythmically-active In Vitro Neonatal Rodent Brainstem-spinal Cord and Thin Slice
Published on: March 23, 2019
Large-scale synchronized activity in the embryonic brainstem and spinal cord.
Yoko Momose-Sato1, Katsushige Sato
1Department of Health and Nutrition, College of Human Environmental Studies, Kanto Gakuin University Yokohama, Japan.
Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
|April 19, 2013
Summary
Early brain activity, detected as rhythmic electrical discharges, forms a large-scale wave across the developing central nervous system. This primordial wave is crucial for central nervous system development before sensory input processing.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Spontaneous neural activity precedes sensory processing in the developing central nervous system (CNS).
- Early CNS activity originates in the hindbrain and spinal cord as rhythmic motoneuron discharges or optical signal oscillations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the properties, development, origin, and mechanisms of early synchronized waves in the CNS.
- To differentiate this primordial activity from mature respiratory and locomotion pattern generators.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on spontaneous neural activity in the developing CNS.
- Analysis of properties including propagation patterns and pharmacological characteristics.
Main Results:
- A large-scale correlated wave propagates widely across the developing CNS, from hindbrain to forebrain.
- This activity exhibits distinct properties compared to mature pattern generators.
Conclusions:
- The observed wave represents primordial CNS activity during embryonic development.
- This activity likely plays a significant role in the overall development of the central nervous system.
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