Table 1 Summary of methods to analyze neuronal properties
From: Connectivity and circuitry in a dish versus in a brain
Method of study | Single cell resolution | Allowing the recording of multiple single cell signals | Possibility to study intact systems | Analysis of brain circuitry | Possibility to manipulate the experimental conditions (that is, drug concentration) | Difficulty in performing the experiment/time cost | Possibility to study synaptic events | Possibility to analyze sensory responses | Invasivity | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
In vitro intracellular recording | + | – | – | – | + | – | + | – | + | – |
Intracellular recording on acute brain slices | + | – | – | – | + | + | + | – | + | – |
Extracellular recording of local field potential | – | – | – | + | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Multi-electrode array recording | + | + | – | – | – | – | + | – | – | + |
In vivo recording | – | – | + | – | – | + | – | + | + | – |
Calcium imaging | – | + | – | – | + | – | + | – | – | + |
Optogenetic | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | + | + |
Vesicle cycling | – | – | – | – | + | + | + | – | + | – |