Question

Does single cell recording have a spatial resolution at the single neuron level?

Answer 1

In neuroscience , single-unit recordings provide a method of measuring the electro-physiological responses of single neurons using a microelectrode system. When a neuron generates an action potential , the signal propagates down the neuron as a current which flows in and out of the cell through excitable membrane regions in the soma and axon . A microelectrode is inserted into the brain, where it can record the rate of change in voltage with respect to time. These microelectrodes must be fine-tipped, high-impedance conductors; they are primarily glass micro-pipettes or metal microelectrodes made of platinum or tungsten. Microelectrodes can be carefully placed within (or close to) the cell membrane , allowing the ability to record intracellularly or extracellularly .Single-unit recordings are widely used in cognitive science , where it permits the analysis of human cognition and cortical mapping . This information can then be applied to brain machine interface (BMI) technologies for brain control of external devices.