Electrophysiological Analysis of Movement Disorders in Mice

Electrophysiological approaches have emerged as powerful tools to investigate neuronal activity in diseased states. The subtle changes that precede overt neurological dysfunction and development of behavioral abnormalities in movement disorders can be investigated in animal models using a wide range of electrophysiological recording techniques. These can provide critical information from the level of single neurons to coordinated activity in microcircuits and large networks in the brain. Since cellular dysfunction can be identified at a very nascent stage, potential prodromal markers and therapeutic targets can be identified. In this chapter, we review the application of electrophysiological approaches to the study of movement disorders with emphasis on what we have learned from rodent models of Huntington’s and Parkinson’s diseases.