Optogenetic analysis of synaptic transmission in the central nervous system of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

ABSTRACT: A reliable method for recording evoked synaptic events in identified neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans would greatly accelerate our understanding of its nervous system at the molecular, cellular and network levels. Here we describe a method for recording synaptic currents and potentials from identified neurons in nearly intact worms. Dissection and exposure of postsynaptic neurons is facilitated by microfabricated agar substrates, and ChannelRhodopsin-2 is used to stimulate presynaptic neurons. We used the method to analyse functional connectivity between a polymodal nociceptor and a command neuron that initiates a stochastic escape behaviour. We find that escape probability mirrors the time course of synaptic current in the command neuron. Moreover, synaptic input increases smoothly as st

SUBMITTER: Lindsay TH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3935721 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature