Patent ID: 6662039
Filing Date: 2003-12-09
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method of identifying if a connection exists between a first neuron and a second neuron in a neural tissue slice comprising:a) loading the neural tissue slice containing the first neuron and the second neuron with a fluorescent indicator which fluoresces in response to neuronal calcium influx; b) measuring the fluorescence of the second neuron after the neural tissue slice is loaded with the fluorescent indicator in step (a); c) stimulating the first neuron in the neural tissue slice so as to elicit an action potential from the first neuron; and d) measuring the fluorescence of the second neuron in response to the action potential elicited from the first neuron in step (c), wherein measurement of a transient change in the fluorescence of the second neuron in step (d) as compared to the measurement of the fluorescence of the second neuron in step (b) identifies that a connection exists between the first neuron and the second neuron in the neural tissue slice.