Breathing requires distinct patterns of neuronal activity in the brainstem. The most critical part of the neuronal network responsible for respiratory rhythm generation is the preBötzinger Complex (preBötC), located in the ventrolateral medulla. This area contains both rhythmogenic glutamatergic neurons and also a high number of inhibitory neurons. Here, we aimed to analyze the activity of glycinergic neurons in the preBötC in anesthetized mice. To identify inhibitory neurons, we used a transgenic mouse line that allows expression of Channelrhodopsin 2 in glycinergic neurons. Using juxtacellular recordings and optogenetic activation via a single recording electrode, we were able to identify neurons as inhibitory and define their activity pattern in relation to the breathing rhythm. We could show that the activity pattern of glycinergic respiratory neurons in the preBötC was heterogeneous. Interestingly, only a minority of the identified glycinergic neurons showed a clear phase-locked activity pattern in every respiratory cycle. Taken together, we could show that neuron identification is possible by a combination of juxtacellular recordings and optogenetic activation via a single recording electrode.

呼吸需要脑干中不同的神经元活动模式。负责呼吸节律产生的神经元网络中最关键的部分是位于延髓腹外侧的前博辛格复合体 (preBötC)。该区域既包含节律性谷氨酸能神经元，也包含大量抑制性神经元。在这里，我们的目的是分析麻醉小鼠 preBötC 中甘氨酸神经元的活性。为了识别抑制性神经元，我们使用了允许在甘氨酸能神经元中表达视紫红质通道蛋白 2 的转基因小鼠。通过单个记录电极使用近细胞记录和光遗传学激活，我们能够识别神经元的抑制性并定义其与呼吸节律相关的活动模式。我们可以证明 preBötC 中甘氨酸能呼吸神经元的活动模式是异质的。有趣的是，只有少数已识别的甘氨酸能神经元在每个呼吸周期中表现出清晰的锁相活动模式。综上所述，我们可以证明通过单个记录电极结合细胞旁记录和光遗传学激活来识别神经元是可能的。