Voltage-clamp recordings of postsynaptic currents in substantia gelatinosa neurons in vitro and its applications to assess synaptic transmission

We describe here procedures for recording postsynaptic currents in substantia gelatinosa neurons on a transverse spinal cord slice preparation with an attached dorsal root. At the holding potential of -70 mV, glutamatergic spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) and dorsal root (Aδ and/or C fiber) stimulation-evoked EPSCs could be observed. Whereas at the holding potential of 0 mV, spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) and dorsal root Aδ fiber stimulation-evoked IPSCs could be encountered. The methods make it possible to evaluate synaptic transmission by analysing the postsynaptic currents on dorsal root attached spinal cord slice.