Abstract
More than ten years have passed since the slice-patch-clamp technique was established as a powerful method for the analysis of central synaptic transmission. Although this technique was restricted only to young animal preparations, we can now apply it to several synapses in slices obtained from adult animals, owing to recent advances in optics or slicers. In addition, advanced techniques have been recently available such as paired whole-cell recording from two or more synaptically connected neurons, recording from dendrites or some presynaptic terminals. Further developments are expected in both of the two directions: more microscopic analysis such as investigating glutamatergic sensitivities of single dendritic spines in combination with two-photon photolysis of a caged-glutamate compound and analysis in a more physiological function-oriented manner such as investigation of pain perception mechanisms using in vivo patch-clamp technique.
