Correlative light and electron microscopic study of boutons on neuronal somas isolated from fixed mammalian brain

Procedures are described for isolating neuronal somas by ultrasonic disruption of fixed rat brain and for fashioning a device that facilitates studying the same single soma by light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The device enables one to carry and repeatedly locate individual cells as well as hold solutions used to bathe the cells. Sequential electron microscopic examination of individual somas was used to confirm the presence of axosomatic boutons at the surface of isolated neurons.