The application of in vivo extracellular recording technique to study the biological effects of nanoparticles in brain

Abstract

With the ability to penetrate the brain blood barrier (BBB), many types of nanoparticles have the chance to interact with the central nervous system, eliciting various and sometimes unexpected biological effects. Thus, understanding the effects of nanoparticles in central nervous system and the underlying mechanisms is critically important for the biomedical applications of engineered nanomaterials in the brain. Various techniques have been developed to study the electrophysiology of neurons and neuronal communication, providing an insight into the molecular mechanisms of learning and memory. Here, we describe the in vivo extracellular recording techniques that are used to record the long-term potential (LTP), short-term potential (paired-pulse facilitation, PPF), and the basal synaptic transmission (input–output curve, I/O curve) in dentate gyrus of hippocampus in the brain. Dentate gyrus plays a critical role in learning and memory. Thus, intrahippocampal infusion of nanoparticles in this area and the subsequent in vivo extracellular recording may help explore the function of nanoparticles in brain.