Overview
Acute brain slices preserve living neurons with intact circuitry, making them a mainstay of electrophysiological study. Successful preparation keeps tissue healthy through rapid, gentle handling.
From Brain to Slices
- Remove the brain quickly into chilled, oxygenated aCSF.
- Block and mount with minimal trauma.
- Cut on a vibratome in ice-cold, carbogen-bubbled aCSF.
- Recover slices in oxygenated buffer before recording.
Why a Vibratome Is Preferred
Vibratome sectioning cuts living tissue without freezing, preserving cell health and membrane integrity — essential for stable recordings.
Keep Tissue Viable
Maintain cold temperature during cutting, continuous oxygenation, and correct ionic composition of aCSF. Minimise the time from brain removal to recording.
Recording Setup
Transfer a slice to the recording chamber with gentle handling, hold it securely, and perfuse with warmed, oxygenated aCSF for stable physiology.
Troubleshooting
Poor health usually traces to delayed removal, inadequate oxygenation or harsh sectioning. Optimise each step and keep the pipeline fast and consistent.