In Vivo Methods for Studying Receptors

Identifying receptors associated with complex neuronal processes such as arousal, attention, and pain sensation is dependent on techniques for probing the consequences of transmitter release and receptor activation in vivo.However, over the last 15 yr there has been shift in focus toward studying receptors on CNS neurons maintained in vitro.The development of techniques for maintaming and recording from mammalian neurons in vitro has allowed for an unparalleled growth in understanding the cellular neuropharmacology of receptor action.The ability to control the microenvironment, including the concentration of drugs and neurotransmitters, surrounding neurons in vitro, although maintaining long-lasting recordings from single neurons is simply not possible for in vivo recording.