Using hippocampal slices to study how aging alters ion regulation in brain tissue

Methods. 1999 Jun;18(2):150-9. doi: 10.1006/meth.1999.0768.

Abstract

Aging alters ion regulation in brain tissue. This article describes methods useful for studying such age-related changes in the rat hippocampal slice preparation. Topics considered include (a) selection of appropriate age groups of rats for aging studies, (b) a description of methods for preparing and maintaining hippocampal slices, (c) measurement of intracellular pH with the H+-sensitive dye carboxy-SNARF-1, and (d) measurement of extracellular pH and K+ with cation-selective microelectrodes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aging / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Benzopyrans
  • Calibration
  • Dissection / methods
  • Electrophysiology / instrumentation
  • Electrophysiology / methods
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Hippocampus / growth & development
  • Hippocampus / physiology*
  • Homeostasis
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Indicators and Reagents
  • Male
  • Microelectrodes
  • Naphthols
  • Pyramidal Cells / physiology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred F344
  • Rhodamines
  • Spectrophotometry / instrumentation
  • Spectrophotometry / methods

Substances

  • Benzopyrans
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Indicators and Reagents
  • Naphthols
  • Rhodamines
  • carboxy-seminaphthorhodaminefluoride