Electrophysiology

• Electrophysiology is the study of the electrical properties and activities of cells and tissues.
• It seeks to understand how electrical signals are generated, transmitted, and processed in neurons and neuronal networks.
• This knowledge is crucial for understanding brain function and treating neurological disorders.

Electrophysiology focuses on the following key aspects:

Ion channels:

• Specialized proteins in neuron cell membranes that allow specific ions to pass through and play a critical role in generating and maintaining electrical signals.

Resting membrane potential:

• The voltage difference across the cell membrane when a neuron is not transmitting a signal, typically around -70 mV.

Action potentials:

• Rapid, transient changes in membrane potential that serve as the primary means of transmitting information within the nervous system.

Synaptic transmission:

• Conversion of electrical signals into chemical signals and back into electrical signals at junctions between neurons, involving neurotransmitter release and receptor activation.

Neuronal networks:

• Complex interconnected circuits of neurons that process and transmit information throughout the nervous system, with a focus on understanding function and adaptability.

Electrophysiological techniques:

• To study electrophysiology in the nervous system, several techniques are used, including:

Patch clamp:

• Records electrical activity of individual ion channels by attaching a glass pipette to the cell membrane.

Intracellular recording:

• Inserts microelectrode directly into a neuron to record membrane potential and action potentials.

Extracellular recording:

• Measures electrical activity of a group of neurons using an electrode placed near cells; records local field potentials and single-unit activity.

Voltage-sensitive dyes and genetically encoded voltage indicators:

• Visualizes electrical activity in neurons using compounds or proteins that change fluorescence in response to membrane potential changes.

EEG and MEG:

• Non-invasive techniques to measure electrical activity of large neuron populations in the brain via electrodes on the scalp (EEG) or by detecting magnetic fields (MEG).

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