过去对脑切片的研究， 对神经元和突触的基本特征方面已取得了丰富资料。但在完整的脑，进行中的的网络活动可能会严重影响这些特征。虽然，生理上更接近现实的网络活动模式已能在保存于界面型培养容器中的脑切片中成功地诱导出来，但此类资料却难以在浸浴型培养容器中取得，而浸浴型容器却能提供更好的实验优势，包括药理试剂的快速交换，视觉辅助的膜片钳记录和成像技术。在这里，我们通过大鼠和小鼠制备的海马浸浴切片，研究产生网络振荡(network oscillation) 的条件。研究发现，局部的氧气量对 自发尖波波动振荡 和胆碱能诱导快速振荡的产生和传播是至关重要。

我们建议三种方式以改善在浸浴下脑切片的氧气供应：

（一）优化培养容器设计以利于灌流液的层流;

（二）增加灌流液的流速;

（ 三 ）灌流切片的两个表面层。这些记录条件的改进有利于研究处于更现实条件下的神经元网络活动，这些网络活动对更好地了解整个神经网络活动是必不可少的。

Maintaining network activity in submerged hippocampal slices: importance of oxygen supply

Abstract：Studies in brain slices have provided a wealth of data on the basic features of neurons and synapses. In the intact brain, these properties may be strongly influenced by ongoing network activity. Although physiologically realistic patterns of network activity have been successfully induced in brain slices maintained in interface-type recording chambers, they have been harder to obtain in submerged-type chambers, which offer significant experimental advantages, including fast exchange of pharmacological agents, visually guided patch-clamp recordings, and imaging techniques. Here, we investigated conditions for the emergence of network oscillations in submerged slices prepared from the hippocampus of rats and mice. We found that the local oxygen level is critical for generation and propagation of both spontaneously occurring sharp wave–ripple oscillations and cholinergically induced fast oscillations. We suggest three ways to improve the oxygen supply to slices under submerged conditions: (i) optimizing chamber design for laminar flow of superfusion fluid; (ii) increasing the flow rate of superfusion fluid; and (iii) superfusing both surfaces of the slice. These improvements to the recording conditions enable detailed studies of neurons under more realistic conditions of network activity, which are essential for a better understanding of neuronal network operation.

文章来源：http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=19200237