Slice XVIvo™: A novel electrophysiology system with the capability for 16 independent brain slice recordings

Variability of seizure-like activity in an in vitro model of epilepsy depends on the electrical recording method

Background

Hippocampal and cortical slice-based models are widely used to study seizures and epilepsy. Seizure detection and quantification are essential components for studying mechanisms of epilepsy and assessing therapeutic interventions. To obtain meaningful signals and maximize experimental throughput, variability should be minimized. Some electrical recording methods require insertion of an electrode into neuronal tissue, change in slice chemical microenvironment, and transients in temperature and pH. These perturbations can cause acute and long-term alterations of the neuronal network which may be reflected in the variability of the recorded signal.

New method

In this study we investigated the effect of experimental perturbations in three local field potential (LFP) recording methods including substrate micro-wires (s-MWs), multiple electrode arrays (MEAs), and inserted micro wire electrodes (i-MW). These methods enabled us to isolate effects of different perturbations. We used organotypic hippocampal slices (OHCs) as an in-vitro model of posttraumatic epilepsy. To investigate the effect of the disturbances caused by the recording method on the paroxysmal events, we introduced jitter analysis, which is sensitive to small differences in the seizure spike timing.

Results

Medium replacement can introduce long-lasting perturbations. Electrode insertion increased variability on a shorter time scale. OHCs also underwent spontaneous state transitions characterized by transient increases in variability.

Comparison with existing methods

This new method of seizure waveform analysis allows for more sensitive assessment of variability of ictal events than simply measuring seizure frequency and duration.

Conclusion

We demonstrated that some of the variability in OHC recordings are due to experimental perturbations while some are spontaneous and independent of recording method.

Preclinical Characterization of (R)-3-((3S,4S)-3-fluoro-4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)piperidin-1-yl)-1-(4-methylbenzyl)pyrrolidin-2-one (BMS-986169), a Novel, Intravenous, Glutamate N-Methyl-d-Aspartate 2B Receptor Negative Allosteric Modulator with Potential in Major Depressive Disorder

(R)-3-((3S,4S)-3-fluoro-4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)piperidin-1-yl)-1-(4-methylbenzyl)pyrrolidin-2-one (BMS-986169) and the phosphate prodrug 4-((3S,4S)-3-fluoro-1-((R)-1-(4-methylbenzyl)-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl)piperidin-4-yl)phenyl dihydrogen phosphate (BMS-986163) were identified from a drug discovery effort focused on the development of novel, intravenous glutamate N-methyl-d-aspartate 2B receptor (GluN2B) negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). BMS-986169 showed high binding affinity for the GluN2B subunit allosteric modulatory site (K_i = 4.03-6.3 nM) and selectively inhibited GluN2B receptor function in Xenopus oocytes expressing human N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor subtypes (IC₅₀ = 24.1 nM). BMS-986169 weakly inhibited human ether-a-go-go-related gene channel activity (IC₅₀ = 28.4 μM) and had negligible activity in an assay panel containing 40 additional pharmacological targets. Intravenous administration of BMS-986169 or BMS-986163 dose-dependently increased GluN2B receptor occupancy and inhibited in vivo [3H](+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine ([3H]MK-801) binding, confirming target engagement and effective cleavage of the prodrug. BMS-986169 reduced immobility in the mouse forced swim test, an effect similar to intravenous ketamine treatment. Decreased novelty suppressed feeding latency, and increased ex vivo hippocampal long-term potentiation was also seen 24 hours after acute BMS-986163 or BMS-986169 administration. BMS-986169 did not produce ketamine-like hyperlocomotion or abnormal behaviors in mice or cynomolgus monkeys but did produce a transient working memory impairment in monkeys that was closely related to plasma exposure. Finally, BMS-986163 produced robust changes in the quantitative electroencephalogram power band distribution, a translational measure that can be used to assess pharmacodynamic activity in healthy humans. Due to the poor aqueous solubility of BMS-986169, BMS-986163 was selected as the lead GluN2B NAM candidate for further evaluation as a novel intravenous agent for TRD.

Perfused drop microfluidic device for brain slice culture-based drug discovery

Living slices of brain tissue are widely used to model brain processes in vitro. In addition to basic neurophysiology studies, brain slices are also extensively used for pharmacology, toxicology, and drug discovery research. In these experiments, high parallelism and throughput are critical. Capability to conduct long-term electrical recording experiments may also be necessary to address disease processes that require protein synthesis and neural circuit rewiring. We developed a novel perfused drop microfluidic device for use with long term cultures of brain slices (organotypic cultures). Slices of hippocampus were placed into wells cut in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film. Fluid level in the wells was hydrostatically controlled such that a drop was formed around each slice. The drops were continuously perfused with culture medium through microchannels. We found that viable organotypic hippocampal slice cultures could be maintained for at least 9 days in vitro. PDMS microfluidic network could be readily integrated with substrate-printed microelectrodes for parallel electrical recordings of multiple perfused organotypic cultures on a single MEA chip. We expect that this highly scalable perfused drop microfluidic device will facilitate high-throughput drug discovery and toxicology.

Effect of acute NR2B antagonist treatment on long-term potentiation in the rat hippocampus

The long lasting antidepressant response seen following acute, i.v. ketamine administration in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is thought to result from enhanced synaptic plasticity in cortical and hippocampal circuits. Using extracellular field recordings in rat hippocampal slices, we show that a single dose of the non-selective NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine or CP-101,606, a selective antagonist of the NR2B subunit of the NMDA receptor, enhances hippocampal synaptic plasticity induced with high frequency stimulation (HFS) 24h after dosing - a time at which plasma concentrations of the drug are no longer detectable in the animal. These results indicate that acute inhibition of NMDA receptors containing the NR2B subunit can lead to long-lasting changes in hippocampal plasticity.