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Related Experiment Videos

Cross-correlation and microstimulation: complementary tools in the extracellular analysis of synaptic interactions

H A Swadlow1, K Lukatela

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs 06269, USA.

Journal of Neuroscience Methods
|February 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

Extracellular microstimulation complements cross-correlation analyses by verifying synaptic connectivity. This method uses low-intensity pulses to confirm if a reference neuron

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Computational Neuroscience
  • Electrophysiology

Background:

  • Cross-correlation analysis (CCA) is widely used to infer synaptic connectivity between neurons.
  • However, CCA alone can be insufficient to definitively establish causal relationships.
  • Extracellular microstimulation offers a complementary technique to validate CCA findings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the utility of extracellular microstimulation as an ancillary tool for CCA.
  • To demonstrate the sufficiency of a reference neuron's spike train in eliciting target neuron spikes.
  • To provide independent evidence supporting or refuting synaptic connectivity hypotheses derived from CCA.

Main Methods:

  • Extracellular microstimulation was applied using low-intensity current pulses (1-10 microA) via a recording microelectrode.

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  • The study involved antidromically identified descending corticofugal neurons and inhibitory interneurons in rabbit S1 cortex.
  • Simultaneous recordings were made from neurons in the ventroposterior medial thalamus (VPM).

    • Main Results:

    • A strong relationship was observed between significant peaks in cross-correlograms (CCGs) and responses to VPM microstimulation.
    • 18/19 cortical neurons responding to < 6 microA stimulation showed significant CCGs with VPM neurons.
    • 16/16 cortical neurons not responding to 10 microA stimulation failed to show significant CCGs.

    Conclusions:

    • Extracellular microstimulation provides independent experimental support for synaptic connectivity hypotheses from CCA.
    • The technique is relatively benign, with CCGs remaining similar after extensive stimulation.
    • Its rapid implementation and predictive power make it valuable for selecting neuron pairs for study.