Odor input generates approximately 1.5 Hz and approximately 3 Hz spectral peaks in the helix pedal ganglion

Phase-modulation laser interference microscopy: an advance in cell imaging and dynamics study

We describe how phase-modulation laser interference microscopy and wavelet analysis can be applied to noninvasive nonstained visualization and study of the structural and dynamical properties of living cells. We show how phase images of erythrocytes can reveal the difference between various erythrocyte forms and stages of hemolysis and how phase images of neurons reveal their complex intracellular structure. Temporal variations of the refractive index are analyzed to detect cellular rhythmic activity on different time scales as well as to uncover interactions between the cellular processes.

Unraveling cell processes: interference imaging interwoven with data analysis

The paper presents results on the application of interference microscopy and wavelet-analysis for cell visualization and studies of cell dynamics. We demonstrate that interference imaging of erythrocytes can reveal reorganization of the cytoskeleton and inhomogenity in the distribution of hemoglobin, and that interference imaging of neurons can show intracellular compartmentalization and submembrane structures. We investigate temporal and spatial variations of the refractive index for different cell types: isolated neurons, mast cells and erythrocytes. We show that the refractive dynamical properties differ from cell type to cell type and depend on the cellular compartment. Our results suggest that low frequency variations (0.1-0.6 Hz) result from plasma membrane processes and that higher frequency variations (20-26 Hz) are related to the movement of vesicles. Using double-wavelet analysis, we study the modulation of the 1 Hz rhythm in neurons and reveal its changes under depolarization and hyperpolarization of the plasma membrane. We conclude that interference microscopy combined with wavelet analysis is a useful technique for non-invasive cell studies, cell visualization, and investigation of plasma membrane properties.

Interference microscopy under double-wavelet analysis: a new approach to studying cell dynamics

This Letter combines a novel experimental approach to the study of intracellular processes with a newly developed technique for multimode time-series analysis. Experiments are performed on isolated pond snail (Lymnaea stagnalis) neurons. Local variations in the cellular refractive index as detected by laser interference microscopy are related to the processes in the cell. A wavelet analysis shows the presence of several identifiable modes in the membrane and intracellular dynamics, and a double-wavelet analysis reveals nonlinear interactions between the regulatory processes in the form of mutual frequency and amplitude modulations.

Wavelet analysis can sensitively describe dynamics of ethanol evoked local field potentials of the slug (Limax marginatus) brain

Odorants evoke characteristic, but complex, local field potentials (LFPs) in the molluscan brain. Wavelet tools in combination with Fourier analysis can detect and characterize hitherto unknown discrete, slow potentials underlying the conspicuous oscillations. Ethanol was one of the odorants that we have extensively studied (J. Neurosci. Methods, 119 (2002) 89). To detect new features and to elucidate their functions, we tested the wavelet tools on the ethanol-evoked LFP responses of the slug (Limax) procerebrum. Recordings were made in vitro from the neuropile and the cell layer. The present study led to the following findings: (i) Mutual exclusion. Energy concentrated mainly in two ranges, (a) 0.1-0.4 Hz and (b) 1.56-12.5 Hz, and the sum of energy remained constant throughout experiments regardless of the condition. A redistribution of relative energy within this sum seemed to occur in the course of main, possible interactions between the two components excluding each other ('mutual exclusion'). (ii) Transient signal ordering and disordering. Ethanol stimulation alternatingly evoked periods of strongly time evolving oscillation dominated by the energy of 1.56-12.5 Hz (increase of entropy=disordered or complexly ordered state) and those of near-silence were predominated by the energy of 0.1-0.4 Hz (decrease of entropy=ordered state). (iii) About 0.1 Hz slow wave oscillation. It was robust. The dominant energy oscillation and the resulting large entropy fluctuation were negatively correlated to each other, and revealed strong frequency-tuning or synchronization at this frequency. Our findings suggest that discrete slow waves play functionally important roles in the invertebrate brain, as widely known in vertebrate EEG. Wavelet tools allow an easy interpretation of several minutes of frequency variations in a single display and give precise information on stimulus-evoked complex change of the neural system describing the new state 'more ordered' or 'non-ordered or more complexly ordered'.

Modulation of θ/α frequency profiles of slow auditory-evoked responses in the songbird zebra finch

Spatiotemporal patterns of forebrain neural activity associated with auditory perception of biologically relevant complex acoustic stimuli can be conveniently studied in the songbird zebra finch. Here we present a time-frequency analysis of averaged slow auditory-evoked potentials (sAEPs) obtained at electrode locations overlying the main song control nucleus, high vocal center. Gabor spectrograms of these sAEPs show a prolonged response time course consisting of unimodal frequency peaks in the theta/alpha range (4-17 Hz). There is a stimulus-dependent modulation of the duration of the response and of the total number of its constituent frequency peaks, an effect that is bilateral in 75% of the birds and lateralized to the left side in the remaining 25%. Since the state of alertness of birds modulates these parameters along a similar continuum, these findings suggest that modulation of sAEP frequency profile may be dependent on attentional mechanisms. The presence and modulation of neurobiologically ubiquitous dominant frequency components also implicate the possible role of induced cerebral neuronal circuit oscillations in songbird auditory perception.

A discovery of new features of gastropod local field potentials by application of wavelet tools

Odor input evokes characteristic, time-evolving (non-stationary) events in the spontaneously active central ganglia of the snail Helix pomatia. Assuming stationarity for the signals, one could, as the first approach, apply the Fourier-based methods, frequency amplitude characteristics (FAC) measures, for analyzing such events. We could thus for the first time describe such events in frequency and amplitude and show that the frequency, at which power increases most, is specific to the odor or its class [Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 123A (1999a) 95; Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 124A (1999b) 297]. Wavelet tools assume no record stationarity and are suitable for describing the dynamically evolving brain electrical signals precisely and quantitatively. We, therefore, tested these tools for the typical odor experiments with the procerebrum (PC), the pedal ganglion (PG) and the visceral ganglion (VG) of the Helix, which we earlier analyzed by the FAC measures and compared both results. The two basic findings of the present wavelet analysis are as follows: (i) the wavelet energy fluctuations clearly visualize dynamical interactions among the major bands (0.1-3.1 Hz), implying a possible 'mutual exclusion' between slow components < 0.8 Hz and faster ones > 0.8 Hz. (ii) Entropy behavior was characteristically different for each of the three brain regions. Only in PC the response to aversive odorants (decrease of entropy = more ordered state) is differentiated in entropy from that to attractive ones (increase of entropy=more disordered or more complexly ordered state) indicating the odor-discriminating function of this region. In VG entropy of the intrinsic activity is so high (highly disordered state) due to the strong wideband activity reaching > 50 Hz that odor stimulation results mainly in lowering of entropy (= more ordered state) regardless of the nature of the odor. In PG, however, odor presentation generally increases entropy due to the robust, wide-band activation at > 3 Hz (sensorimotor function) that is generated as a secondary, but dominant and robust, response. In respect to describing time evolution of different frequency band components the present wavelet tools can much more sensitively do so, as compared with the FAC measures. They can also characterize a change in the neuroelectrical state in terms of entropy.