Light distribution properties in spinal cord for optogenetic stimulation (Conference Presentation)

SummaryNeural stem/progenitor cell grafts integrate into sites of spinal cord injury (SCI) and form anatomical and electrophysiological neuronal relays across lesions. To determine how grafts become synaptically organized and connect with host systems, we performed calcium imaging of neural progenitor cell grafts within sites of SCI, using both in vivo imaging and spinal cord slices. Stem cell grafts organize into localized synaptic networks that are spontaneously active. Following optogenetic stimulation of host corticospinal tract axons regenerating into grafts, distinct and segregated neuronal networks respond throughout the graft. Moreover, optogenetic stimulation of graft axons extending out from the lesion into the denervated spinal cord also trigger responses in local host neuronal networks. In vivo imaging reveals that behavioral stimulation of host elicits focal synaptic responses within grafts. Thus, remarkably, neural progenitor cell grafts form functional synaptic subnetworks in patterns paralleling the normal spinal cord.

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In Vivo Electrophysiology of Peptidergic Neurons in Deep Layers of the Lumbar Spinal Cord after Optogenetic Stimulation of Hypothalamic Paraventricular Oxytocin Neurons in Rats

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22073400 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (7) ◽

pp. 3400

Author(s):

Daisuke Uta ◽

Takumi Oti ◽

Tatsuya Sakamoto ◽

Hirotaka Sakamoto

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Electrical Response ◽

Oxytocin Receptor ◽

Lumbar Spinal Cord ◽

Whole Cell ◽

Optogenetic Stimulation ◽

Lumbar Spinal ◽

Whole Cell Recordings ◽

Stimulation Of

The spinal ejaculation generator (SEG) is located in the central gray (lamina X) of the rat lumbar spinal cord and plays a pivotal role in the ejaculatory reflex. We recently reported that SEG neurons express the oxytocin receptor and are activated by oxytocin projections from the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVH). However, it is unknown whether the SEG responds to oxytocin in vivo. In this study, we analyzed the characteristics of the brain–spinal cord neural circuit that controls male sexual function using a newly developed in vivo electrophysiological technique. Optogenetic stimulation of the PVH of rats expressing channel rhodopsin under the oxytocin receptor promoter increased the spontaneous firing of most lamina X SEG neurons. This is the first demonstration of the in vivo electrical response from the deeper (lamina X) neurons in the spinal cord. Furthermore, we succeeded in the in vivo whole-cell recordings of lamina X neurons. In vivo whole-cell recordings may reveal the features of lamina X SEG neurons, including differences in neurotransmitters and response to stimulation. Taken together, these results suggest that in vivo electrophysiological stimulation can elucidate the neurophysiological response of a variety of spinal neurons during male sexual behavior.

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Flexible and fully implantable upconversion device for wireless optogenetic stimulation of the spinal cord in behaving animals

Nanoscale ◽

10.1039/c9nr07583f ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 2406-2414 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ying Wang ◽

Kai Xie ◽

Haibing Yue ◽

Xian Chen ◽

Xuan Luo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Tissue ◽

Optogenetic Stimulation ◽

Neural Modulation ◽

All Optical ◽

Freely Moving ◽

Stimulation Of

A flexible, implantable upconversion device is reported as an all-optical solution for wireless optogenetic stimulation of spinal cord tissue in freely moving rodents, adding to the current toolsets of wireless optogenetics giving possibilities for remote neural modulation.

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