Sensory physiology

http://advan.physiology.org/content/33/2/115.full.pdf

Laboratory experience for teaching sensory physiology describes a laboratory practical which enables students to analyse and quantify the effects of vibrissal stimulation on multi-fibre activity in the infraorbital nerve in anaesthetised rats. Experimental preparations are prepared by Instructors. Students record spontaneous activity, investigate the effects of whisker deflection on afferent activity, analysing and quantifying these effects. All procedures and equipment required for running this practical and subsequent data analysis are clearly described.

This protocol was developed by Dr Albarracin and colleagues from the Universidad Nacional de Tucuman, Argentina. It is published in the journal Advances in Physiology Education (2009) 33: 115-120, with copyright being retained by the American Physiological Society.

It is suitable for use in undergraduate student education and short training courses in in-vivo sciences.