By
Franklin Bretschneider, Functional Neurobiology Group, Department of Biology, The University of Utrecht, The Netherlands
Jan de Weille, Institut des Neurosciences de Montpelier, France
Description
Introduction to Electrophysiological Methods and Instrumentation covers all topics of interest to electrophysiologists,
neuroscientists and neurophysiologists, from the reliable penetration of cells, the behaviour and function of the equipment, to the mathematical
tools available for analysing data. It discusses the pros and cons of techniques and methods used in electrophysiology and how to avoid
their pitfalls.
Particularly in an era where high quality off-the-shelf solutions are readily available, it is important for the electrophysiologist
to understand how his or her equipment manages the acquisitions and analysis of low voltage biological signals.
Introduction
to Electrophysiological Methods and Instrumentation addresses this need. The book presents the basics of the passive and active
electronic components and circuitry used in apparatuses such as (voltage-clamp) amplifiers, addressing the strong points of modern semiconductors
as well as the limitations inherent to even the highest-tech equipment. It concisely describes the theoretical background of the biological
phenomena. The book includes a very useful tutorial in electronics, which will introduce students and physiologists to the important
basics of electronic engineering needed to understand the function of electrophysiological setups. The vast terrain of signal analysis
is dealt with in a way that is valuable to both the uninitiated and the expert. For example, the utility of convolutions and (Fourier,
Pascal) transformations in signal detection, conditioning and analysis is presented both in an easy to grasp graphical form as well as
in a more rigorous mathematical way.
Audience:
Electrophysiologists and students working in general and clinical neurophysiology, muscle physiology and plant physiology.
