Brain Neuron Preparations for the Study of Aging Changes in Calcium Potentials and Currents

This article considers the problems encountered in the study of basic electrophysiologlcal properties of aged animal brain cells and describes several methods that are useful for such studies. Specific methods for rat brain slice preparations are reviewed, with an emphasis on factors relevant to aging animals. Alternative approaches (acutely dissociated cells) are also considered. Methods for investigating pharmacologically isolated and defined calcium potentials and calcium currents in aged rat brain neurons also are described. These may play an important role in the brain aging process.