Preparation of Acute Mouse Hippocampal Brain Sections for Transport to a Distant Electrophysiology Laboratory

Abstract

This article describes a standardized method for preparing and transporting acute mouse hippocampal brain slices suitable for high-quality single-cell, CA1, pyramidal cells electrophysiological recordings between laboratories in departments or institutions located at distances up to 3 hr apart. The procedure emphasizes maintaining tissue viability and preserving physiological integrity during transport. Slices are prepared in sucrose-based protective solutions under ice-cold, oxygenated conditions, followed by a controlled rewarming period to restore metabolic activity. For transport, slices are submerged in oxygenated artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) contained in 250-ml parafilm-sealed Duran bottles, ensuring prolonged viability at near-ambient temperature. The method includes parameters for slice thickness, temperature control, oxygenation duration, and maximum transport time to ensure reproducibility across sites. Validation using patch-clamp recordings confirms that electrophysiological properties, such as resting membrane potential, input resistance, action potential firing, and spontaneous synaptic neurotransmission, remain comparable to those in freshly prepared slices. This protocol enables collaborative research where brain slice preparation and electrophysiological recordings occur in separate laboratories, while preserving the reliability and quality of single-cell functional data. This is particularly useful for laboratories located away from animal housing units. © 2026 The Author(s). Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol: Acute brain slice preparation available for transport