Dead or alive? The manipulation of neuronal ensembles and pathways by daunorubicin

Some of the outstanding questions in neuroscience today are aimed at understanding the cellular and network mechanisms responsible for learned behaviours. Being able to identify and subsequently manipulate those specific neurones previously activated in a behavioural episode is key to this endeavour. A number of different methods have now been developed that enable this to be achieved. In this article, we highlight the Daun02-daunorubicin method of disrupting neuronal activity. Despite the fact that the Daun02-daunorubicin method has been used for a number of years and has been applied across a number of different experimental systems, the mechanism by which Daun02-daunorubicin disrupts neuronal activity is not clear. In this article, we summarise some of the advances that have been made by using this technology and we discuss potential mechanisms by which Daun02-daunorubicin disrupts neuronal function.