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Microarray Noninvasive Neuronal Seizure Recordings from Intact Larval Zebrafish
Michaela Meyer1,2,3,4, Sameer C Dhamne1,2,4, Christopher M LaCoursiere1,2,3
1Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
Plos One
|June 10, 2016
Summary
This study introduces a new non-invasive method to record brain activity in zebrafish larvae, aiding epilepsy research. The technique successfully identified seizure activity and allows for future developmental studies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Epilepsy Research
- Zebrafish Models
Background:
- Zebrafish models are valuable for epilepsy research due to ease of genetic modification and drug studies.
- Electrophysiological recording methods in zebrafish are still developing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel, non-invasive multi-electrode array (MEA) method for recording electrophysiological activity in larval zebrafish.
- To assess the method's capability in identifying epileptic seizures and neuronal firing patterns.
Main Methods:
- Developed a non-invasive MEA technique to record extracellular field potentials from intact larval zebrafish heads.
- Secured larval zebrafish heads onto the MEA for transcranial recordings.
- Quantified neuronal firing frequency, patterns (bursting/continuous), and synchrony over three hours.
Main Results:
- Successfully recorded multi-unit activity and electroencephalography (EEG) signals.
- Observed significant increases in neuronal firing rate and bursting after introducing potassium chloride or pentylenetetrazole.
- Detected increased neuronal firing synchrony, a key indicator of epileptic seizures.
Conclusions:
- The novel non-invasive MEA method provides high spatial and temporal resolution for recording zebrafish brain activity.
- This technique enables multiregional activity and neuronal synchrony measurements in seizures.
- The method ensures fish survival, facilitating future research on epileptogenesis and neurodevelopment.
