High-resolution mapping of single neurons provides insight into neuron structure and LFP generation

Recent modeling [1] has suggested that the spatial structure of single neurons, especially the orientation and the shape of their dendritic trees, is of great importance in the understanding of the properties of the LFP generated (for example, a low-pass filtering effect has been shown in remote neurites [2]). In order to test these predictions, high-density microelectrode arrays (MEAs) featuring 11'011 electrodes are a valuable tool [3]. They provide detailed information about the external electrical field potentials of cultured neurons, from which the relevant information about single neurons properties must be extracted. We developed an on-line software allowing us to track neurites of single neurons (Figure 1A-K, footprint of a neuron), which provides information about their spatial structure and their activity dynamics leading to predictions on their morphology (Figure 1L). These allow us to elucidate additional properties of LFP generation, such as, multi-polar potentials related to the morphology of the studied cell. Moreover, reconstruction of the morphology of different cells was performed based on footprints and compared with imaging from GFP-stained neural cultures.

Figure 1.

Acknowledgments

The group of the Prof. Hierlemann for providing the MEAs and the support.

Funded by the German BMBF (FKZ 01GQ0420 & FKZ 01GQ0830) and by the EC (NEURO, No. 12788)