Spatiotemporal Analysis of Hippocampal Long Term Potentiation Using Independent Component Analysis

Abstract

Long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic transmission is the most widely studied model for learning and memory. However its mechanisms are not clearly elucidated and are a subject for intense investigation. Previous attempts to decipher cellular mechanisms and network properties involved a current-source density analysis (CSDA) of the LTP from small animal hippocampus measured with a limited number of microelectrodes (typically <3), only revealing limited nature of spatiotemporal dynamics. Recent advancement in multi-electrode array (MEA) technology allows continuous and simultaneous recordings of LTP with more than 60 electrodes. However CSDA via the standard Laplacian transform is still limited due to its relatively high sensitivity toward noise, inability of resolving overlapping current sources and sinks, and its requirement for tissue conductivity values. In this study, we propose a new methodology for improved CSDA. Independent component analysis and its joint use (i.e., Joint-ICA) are applied to extract spatiotemporal components of LTP. The results show that ICA and Joint-ICA are capable of extracting independent spatiotemporal components of LTP generators. The ICs of LTP indicate the reversing roles of current sources and sinks are associated with LTP.