Unlocking Synaptic Activity Insights: Neuroservices-Alliance’s Expertise in mEPSC Recordings

Unlocking Synaptic Activity Insights: Neuroservices-Alliance’s Expertise in mEPSC Recordings

News
28.10.2024

At Neuroservices-Alliance, we specialize in miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (mEPSC) recordings, providing pharmaceutical and biotech companies with critical insights into synaptic activity at a cellular level. This article showcases our mEPSC recording capabilities, using proprietary data from our Cell Electrophysiology Lab in San Diego, and explains how this service can accelerate CNS drug discovery.

We perform mEPSC recordings on:

iPSC-derived neurons

E18 Rat Cortical Neurons

Miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (mEPSC) recordings can be performed on neurons stained with NeuO, allowing researchers to assess synaptic activity and neuronal function. The fluorescent labeling helps identify the neurons of interest, facilitating precise electrophysiological measurements in live or fixed tissues.

What are mEPSCs and Why Are They Important?

mEPSCs are small, spontaneous synaptic events that occur when a single vesicle of neurotransmitter is released from the presynaptic terminal. They offer essential information about postsynaptic responses without the influence of presynaptic action potentials. Moreover, mEPSC recordings are crucial for studying synaptic function and plasticity. They provide insights into:

  • Synaptic connectivity and plasticity: mEPSC frequency and amplitude changes help reveal synaptic scaling, a key process in neuroplasticity.
  • Neuronal health and disease modeling: Abnormalities in mEPSCs are often linked to neurological disorders like epilepsy, schizophrenia, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
  • Drug discovery: By examining mEPSCs, researchers can assess how CNS drugs affect synaptic transmission. This makes them an indispensable tool in preclinical screening.

A Closer Look at Synaptic Modulation

This electrophysiological trace below illustrates the modulation of mEPSCs by applying two pharmacological agents: CX614, an AMPA receptor-positive allosteric modulator, and NBQX, an AMPA receptor antagonist.

mEPSC recording traces

Recordings performed at Neuroservices-Alliance’s cell electrophysiology lab in San Diego, USA

  • Before CX614 application: In the baseline recording, we observe regular mEPSCs. This baseline is critical for comparing how the synaptic activity changes with drug administration.

  • CX614 application: When CX614 is applied, there is a significant increase in both the frequency and amplitude of mEPSCs. This result demonstrates CX614’s ability to enhance synaptic transmission by modulating AMPA receptors, a common target in CNS drug discovery.

  • NBQX application: The addition of NBQX completely blocks AMPA receptor activity, which effectively stops all synaptic currents. This clear contrast highlights NBQX’s inhibitory effect and shows how we assess both enhancement and inhibition of synaptic transmission in our studies.

Our data offers a powerful readout of synaptic modulation, essential for evaluating CNS-targeting drug candidates.

Why mEPSC recordings are valuable for your research

At Neuroservices-Alliance, we’ve performed numerous mEPSC studies that help clients understand the synaptic effects of their drug candidates. By working with us, you gain access to:

  • Tailored assays: We customize every electrophysiology experiment to fit your specific drug development needs, delivering detailed functional insights.
  • Robust platforms: Our cutting-edge facilities enable recordings from a wide variety of cell types, including primary neurons and iPSC-derived neurons. This versatility ensures that our services are adaptable to your project goals.
  • Accelerated CNS drug discovery: With years of experience, our team can quickly and accurately assess the effects of potential CNS therapeutics, particularly those targeting conditions like epilepsy, depression, or schizophrenia.

Whether you’re testing a compound’s influence on synaptic transmission, exploring neurodevelopmental processes, or investigating disease models, mEPSC recordings offer a powerful approach to gaining critical insights into cellular-level activity.

Why Choose Neuroservices-Alliance?

Neuroservices-Alliance is more than just a CNS-focused CRO – we are your trusted partner in advancing drug discovery programs. When you choose Neuroservices-Alliance, you can expect:

  • Expertise in CNS preclinical research: With almost two decades of experience, we deliver high-quality results for complex CNS drug discovery projects.
  • Quick and efficient results: We understand the urgency in drug development and provide fast turnaround times without compromising data integrity.
  • Comprehensive data interpretation: Instead of raw data, we offer detailed analysis and actionable insights to guide your research.

Reach out to assess how we can help your research

With our proven expertise in mEPSC recordings, Neuroservices-Alliance can help your company explore the synaptic effects of therapeutic candidates with unmatched precision. Reach out to us today to discover how our services can accelerate your CNS drug discovery efforts.

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