In some papers, 4-AP and TTX were used to isolate monosynaptic response, as far as I am concerned ,4-AP is a relatively selective blocker of members of Kv1 , TTX is a sodium channel blocker. Why did 4-AP and TTX can be used to isolate monosynaptic response?
This is usually used to isolate monosynaptic effects in recordings using optogenetic approaches. TTX blocks action potential-dependent synaptic activity (unless you are unlucky and have ttx-insensitive Na+ channels in your circuit). This essentially blocks polysynaptic loops.
4-AP is used to block K+ channel-mediated shunting of the light-evoked response. This increases the membrane space constant and raises the odds that the light pulse translates to a postsynaptic event detected by your recording electrode, even with relatively weak expression of channelrhodopsins.
Edit: I did a quick search and it turns out somebody has already asked a similar question on RG, and the answers are by people far more knowledgeable on this topic. Everything you need to know is there :)
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Could_somebody_explain_how_can_we_use_TTX_to_distinguish_between_monosynaptic_and_polysynaptic_circuits
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