MORPHOLOGICAL DYNAMICS OF LIVING NEURONS IN SLICES

本研究探讨了一种新的器官型培养系统的潜力 作为体内神经移植的模型，并作为研究 突触可塑性的形态学相关性。我会研究 胚胎大鼠海马神经元移植到培养的 新生大鼠海马切片。 我将观察 移植整合，而它发生时，使用时间推移双光子 显微镜我将观察切片年龄和移植的影响 在移植的CA1和CA3锥体神经突起生长上的定位 神经元 我将量化的动态形态参数的 移植细胞，如轴突生长和收缩率，分支 与宿主相比， 细胞在延时期间，将对切片应用去极化剂 成像来观察切片中自发活动的总体水平 影响神经形态 研究结果将对那些 对学习和记忆的基础感兴趣， 海马移植以改善神经退行性变 疾病，如阿尔茨海默病。

This study explores the potentials of a new organotypic culture system as a model for in vivo neural transplants, and as a tool for studying the morphological correlates of synaptic plasticity. I will study the development of embryonic rat hippocampal neurons transplanted to cultured hippocampal slices from neonatal rats. I will observe the process of transplant integration while it happens, using time-lapse 2-photon microscopy. I will observe the effects of slice age and transplant location on the neurite outgrowth of transplanted CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons. I will quantify dynamic morphological parameters of the transplanted cells, such as neurite growth and retraction rates, branch formation, and cell body migration, in comparison to those of the host cells. Depolarizing agents will be applied to slices during timelapse imaging to see how the overall level of spontaneous activity in the slice influences neural morphology. The findings will be useful to those interested in the bases of learning and memory, and the potential for hippocampal transplants to ameliorate the effects of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease.