Optogenetic Mapping of Synaptic Connections in Mouse Brain Slices to Define the Functional Connectome of Identified Neuronal Populations

Abstract

Functional connectivity in a neural circuit is determined by the strength, incidence, and neurotransmitter nature of its connections (Chuhma, 2015). Using optogenetics the functional synaptic connections between an identified population of neurons and defined postsynaptic target neurons may be measured systematically in order to determine the functional connectome of that identified population. Here we describe the experimental protocol used to investigate the excitatory functional connectome of ventral midbrain dopamine neurons, mediated by glutamate cotransmission (Mingote et al., 2015). Dopamine neurons are made light sensitive by injecting an adeno-associated virus (AAV) encoding channelrhodopsin (ChR2) into the ventral midbrain of DATIREScre mice. The efficacy and specificity of ChR2 expression in dopamine neurons is verified by immunofluorescence for the dopamine-synthetic enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase. Then, slice patch-clamp recordings are made from neurons in regions recipient to dopamine neuron projections and the incidence and strength of excitatory connections determined. The summary of the incidence and strength of connections in all regions recipient to dopamine neuron projections constitute the functional connectome.