USE OF VOLTAGE-SENSITIVE DYES AND OPTICAL RECORDINGS IN THE CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM

Authors
Citation
Tj. Ebner et G. Chen, USE OF VOLTAGE-SENSITIVE DYES AND OPTICAL RECORDINGS IN THE CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM, Progress in neurobiology, 46(5), 1995, pp. 463-506
Citations number
246
Categorie Soggetti
Neurosciences
Journal title
ISSN journal
03010082
Volume
46
Issue
5
Year of publication
1995
Pages
463 - 506
Database
ISI
SICI code
0301-0082(1995)46:5<463:UOVDAO>2.0.ZU;2-6
Abstract
Understanding the spatio-temporal features of the information processi ng occurring in any complex neural structure requires the monitoring a nd analysis of the activity in populations of neurons. Electrophysiolo gical and other mapping techniques have provided important insights in to the function of neural circuits and neural populations in many syst ems. However, there remain limitations with these approaches. Therefor e, complementary techniques which permit the monitoring of the spatio- temporal activity in neuronal populations are of continued interest. O ne promising approach to monitor the electrical activity in population s of neurons or on multiple sites of a single neuron is with voltage-s ensitive dyes coupled with optical recording techniques: This review c oncentrates on the use of voltage-sensitive dyes and optical imaging a s tools to study the activity in neuronal populations in the central n ervous system. Focusing on 'fast' voltage-sensitive dyes first, severa l technical issues and developments in optical imaging will be reviewe d. These will include more recent developments in voltage-sensitive dy es as well as newer developments in optical recording technology. Seco nd, studies using voltage-sensitive dyes to investigate information pr ocessing questions in the central nervous system and in the invertebra te nervous system will be reviewed. Some emphasis will be placed on th e cerebellum, but the major goal is to survey how voltage-sensitive dy es and optical recordings have been utilized in the central nervous sy stem. The review will include optical studies on the visual, auditory, olfactory, somatosensory, auditory, hippocampal and brainstem systems , as well as single cell studies addressing information processing que stions. Discussion of the intrinsic optical signals is also included. The review attempts to show how voltage-sensitive dyes and optical rec ordings can be used to obtain high spatial and temporal resolution mon itoring of neuronal activity.