Name: simultaneous electrophysiological recording and micro-injections of inhibitory agents in the rodent brain
Uploaded: 2015-07-07T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Simultaneous Electrophysiological Recording and Micro-injections of Inhibitory Agents in the Rodent Brain at JoVE.com

Supported by grants from CIHR (MOP231122) and NSERC (RGPIN-2014-06503). We would like to thank Genevi&#232;ve Cyr for her help preparing experiments and supervising laboratory work. MAL received a scholarship from The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

NOTE: All procedures were performed in accordance with the directives of the Canadian Council for the Protection of Animals and the Ethics review board of the Universit&#233; de Montr&#233;al.
1. Assembly of the Recording-injection Pipette
<ol>
	<li>Pull an approximately 7 cm long glass capillary (1 mm outer diameter) using a pipette puller.</li>
	<li>Break the tip of the capillary and check the aperture under a light microscope. Confirm that the inner diameter is between 30 &#181;m to 40 &#...

<ol>
	<li>Martin, J. H., Ghez, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pharmacological+inactivation+in+the+analysis+of+the+central+control+of+movement.">Pharmacological inactivation in the analysis of the central control of movement.</a> Journal Of Neuroscience Methods. 86 (2), 145-159 (1999).</li><li>Ponce, C. R., Hunter, J. N., Pack, C. C., Lomber, S. G., Born, R. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Contributions+of+indirect+pathways+to+visual+response+properties+in+macaque+middle+temporal+area+MT.">Contributions of indirect pathways to visual response properties in macaque middle temporal area MT.</a> The Journal Of Neuroscience The Official Journal Of The Society For Neuroscience. 31 (10), 3894-3903 (2011).</li><li>Lomber, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+advantages+and+limitations+of+permanent+or+reversible+deactivation+techniques+in+the+assessment+of+neural+function.">The advantages and limitations of permanent or reversible deactivation techniques in the assessment of neural function.</a> Journal Of Neuroscience Methods. 86 (2), 109-117 (1999).</li><li>Malpeli, J., Schiller, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+method+of+reversible+inactivation+of+small+regions+of+brain+tissue.">A method of reversible inactivation of small regions of brain tissue.</a> Journal Of Neuroscience Methods. 1 (2), 143-151 (1979).</li><li>Lomber, S. G., Payne, B. R., Horel, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+cryoloop:+an+adaptable+reversible+cooling+deactivation+method+for+behavioral+or+electrophysiological+assessment+of+neural+function.">The cryoloop: an adaptable reversible cooling deactivation method for behavioral or electrophysiological assessment of neural function.</a> Journal Of Neuroscience Methods. 86 (2), 179-194 (1999).</li><li>Gonzalez-Perez, O., Guerrero-Cazares, H., Qui&#241;ones-Hinojosa, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Targeting+of+deep+brain+structures+with+microinjections+for+delivery+of+drugs,+viral+vectors,+or+cell+transplants.">Targeting of deep brain structures with microinjections for delivery of drugs, viral vectors, or cell transplants.</a> Journal Of Visualized Experiments. (46), (2010).</li><li>Hup&#233;, J., Chouvet, G., Bullier, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spatial+and+temporal+parameters+of+cortical+inactivation+by+GABA.">Spatial and temporal parameters of cortical inactivation by GABA.</a> Journal Of Neuroscience Methods. 86 (2), 129-143 (1999).</li><li>Casanova, C., McKinley, P., Molotchnikofff, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Responsiveness+of+Reorganized+Primary+Somatosensory+(SI)+Cortex+after+Local+Inactivation+of+Normal+SI+Cortex+in+Chronic+Spinal+Cats.">Responsiveness of Reorganized Primary Somatosensory (SI) Cortex after Local Inactivation of Normal SI Cortex in Chronic Spinal Cats.</a> Somatosensory &amp; Motor Research. 8 (1), 65-76 (1991).</li><li>Malpeli, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Reversible+inactivation+of+subcortical+sites+by+drug+injection.">Reversible inactivation of subcortical sites by drug injection.</a> Journal Of Neuroscience Methods. 86 (2), 119-128 (1999).</li><li>Minville, K., Casanova, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spatial+frequency+processing+in+posteromedial+lateral+suprasylvian+cortex+does+not+depend+on+the+projections+from+the+striate-recipient+zone+of+the+cat&#8217;s+lateral+posterior-pulvinar+complex.">Spatial frequency processing in posteromedial lateral suprasylvian cortex does not depend on the projections from the striate-recipient zone of the cat&#8217;s lateral posterior-pulvinar complex.</a> Neuroscience. 84 (3), 699-711 (1998).</li><li>Diao, Y., Wang, Y., Xiao, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Representation+of+the+binocular+visual+field+in+the+superior+colliculus+of+the+albino+rat.">Representation of the binocular visual field in the superior colliculus of the albino rat.</a> Experimental Brain Research. 52 (1), 67-72 (1983).</li></ol>

The proposed protocol was designed to solve the challenges arising from current reversible inactivation methods. Specifically, this project aimed at refining the methods used for chemical microinjections of substances modulating neural activity, particularly in deep brain structures. A technical challenge emerging from this type of setup is the need for both probes to be colocalized in the same restricted space in vivo in order to derive precise recordings at the injection site. This issue can be overcome by usi...

The inactivation of cortical areas and sub-cortical nuclei is important in the study of functional relations between various brain structures2-4. Recent literature has employed loss-of-function chemical or cryogenic techniques to study the role of brain structures2,5. In regard to pharmacological microinjections, small volumes of drugs can be administered into a brain region at a controlled rate while minimizing the collateral damage to the surrounding tissue6,7. This technique can be used to deliver specific agonists, inverse agonists or antagonists to study the effect of different pharmacological targets on neuronal activity. Such effects can also be studied by measuring changes in neuronal responses from distant locations, allowing researchers to study the relationships between different cortical and subcortical structures.
Here, we demonstrate the assembly of a device, the injectrode, capable of both recording electrophysiological signals and delivering small amounts of drugs at the target location. We demonstrate the capabilities of this system by injecting GABA, a common inhibitor of neuronal activity, in the rat superior colliculus. This region is sensitive to visual stimulation, which allowed us to use visually evoked multiunit activity&#160;to confirm injectrode localization. The reversibility of the inactivation was assessed by the recovery of normal neuronal activity following the end of GABA injection.
The ability to monitor multi-unit activity from the injection site allows for the fine tuning of the injection rates and volumes needed to achieve the desired pharmacodynamic response. Therefore, an advantage of this technique is the potential limiting of tissue damage caused by microperfusion, since the smallest effective volumes are injected. The proposed protocol provides a cost efficient method for generating the disposable hardware necessary for conducting experiments where drug delivery and local neuronal activity recording is desired.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="981">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:280px;">Name of the reagent</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Company</td>
			<td style="width:184px;">Catalogue number</td>
			<td style="width:308px;">Comments (optional)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:280px;">Injection pump (UltraMicroPump III)</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">WPI</td>
			<td style="width:184px;">#UMP3</td>
			<td style="width:308px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:280px;">Injection console (Micro4 Controller)</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">WPI</td>
			<td style="width:184px;">#SYS-MICRO4</td>
			<td style="width:308px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="41">
			<td height="41" style="height:41px;width:280px;">Hamilton syringe</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Hamliton</td>
			<td style="width:184px;">(80301) 701LT 10 &#181;L SYR</td>
			<td style="width:308px;">Syringes between 5 and 10 &#956;L used</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="41">
			<td height="41" style="height:41px;width:280px;">Gel cyanoacrylate adhesive</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Krazy Glue</td>
			<td style="width:184px;">KG86648R</td>
			<td style="width:308px;">The gel form is easier to apply on the shaft of the 30G hypodermic needle</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="41">
			<td height="41" style="height:41px;width:280px;">Glass pipettes</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">WPI</td>
			<td style="width:184px;">#TW100F-4</td>
			<td style="width:308px;">Thin wall, 1mm OD, 0.75mm ID with filament pipettes used</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:280px;">720 Needle Pipette Puller</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">Kopf</td>
			<td style="width:184px;">720</td>
			<td style="width:308px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:280px;">Silver wire</td>
			<td style="width:209px;">A-M Systems, Inc.</td>
			<td style="width:184px;">782500</td>
			<td style="width:308px;">Bare 0.010&#8221;</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

simultaneous electrophysiological recording and micro-injections of inhibitory agents in the rodent brain

Here we describe a method for the construction of a single-use &#8220;injectrode&#8221; using commercially accessible and affordable parts. A probing system was developed that allows for the injection of a drug while recording electrophysiological signals from the affected neuronal population. This method provides a simple and economical alternative to commercial solutions. A glass pipette was modified by combining it with a hypodermic needle and a silver filament. The injectrode is attached to commercial microsyringe pump for drug delivery. This results in a technique that provides real-time pharmacodynamics feedback through multi-unit extracellular signals originating from the site of drug delivery. As a proof of concept, we recorded neuronal activity from the superior colliculus elicited by flashes of light in rats, concomitantly with delivery of drugs through the injectrode. The injectrode recording capacity permits the functional characterization of the injection site favoring precise control over the localization of drug delivery. Application of this method also extends far beyond what is demonstrated here, as the choice of chemical substance loaded into the injectrode is vast, including tracing markers for anatomic experiments.

The construction of the injectrode is illustrated in Figure 1. A silver wire (C) is fed into a glass pipette (D) with a portion of the wire bent and protruding out from the opening. A 30 G needle (B) is attached and sealed to the opening of the glass pipette with glue. After the pipette has been filled with the injection substance, a glass micro syringe (A) is attached to the needle. It is important that there is a good seal where the micro syringe connects with the needle (E) and where the silver wire p...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Simultaneous Electrophysiological Recording and Micro-injections of Inhibitory Agents in the Rodent Brain at JoVE.com

Simultaneous Electrophysiological Recording and Micro-injections of Inhibitory Agents in the Rodent Brain

Here, we craft a glass pipette with dual functions: inhibition of deep brain structures by microinjections of drugs and real-time monitoring of their effects through simultaneous electrophysiological recordings.

Here we describe a method for the construction of a single-use &#8220;injectrode&#8221; using commercially accessible and affordable parts. A probing ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

Simultaneous fMRI and Electrophysiology in the Rodent Brain

To examine the neural basis of the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal, we have developed a rodent model in ...

Design and Construction of a Cost Effective Headstage for Simultaneous Neural Stimulation and Recording in the Water Maze

Headstage preamplifiers and source followers are commonly used to study neural activity in behavioral neurophysiology experiments. Available commercial ...

Forebrain Electrophysiological Recording in Larval Zebrafish

Epilepsy affects nearly 3 million people in the United States and up to 50 million people worldwide. Defined as the occurrence of spontaneous unprovoked ...

Simultaneous Pre- and Post-synaptic Electrophysiological Recording from Xenopus Nerve-muscle Co-cultures

Simultaneous Pre- and Post-synaptic Electrophysiological Recording from Xenopus Nerve-muscle Co-cultures

Much information about the coupling of  presynaptic ionic currents with the release of neurotransmitter has been obtained  from invertebrate preparations, ...

Simultaneous Electrophysiological Recording and Calcium Imaging of Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Neurons

Simultaneous electrophysiological and fluorescent imaging recording methods were used to study the role of changes of membrane potential or current in ...

Electrophysiological Recording in the Brain of Intact Adult Zebrafish

Previously, electrophysiological studies in adult zebrafish have been limited to slice preparations or to eye cup preparations and electrorentinogram ...

Electrophysiological Method for Recording Intracellular Voltage Responses of Drosophila Photoreceptors and Interneurons to Light Stimuli In Vivo

Electrophysiological Method for Recording Intracellular Voltage Responses of Drosophila Photoreceptors and Interneurons to Light Stimuli In Vivo

Voltage responses of insect photoreceptors and visual interneurons can be accurately recorded with conventional sharp microelectrodes. The method ...

Personalized Needles for Microinjections in the Rodent Brain

Microinjections have been used for a long time for the delivery of drugs or toxins within specific brain areas and, more recently, they have been used to ...

Recording Synaptic Plasticity in Acute Hippocampal Slices Maintained in a Small-volume Recycling-, Perfusion-, and Submersion-type Chamber System

Even though experiments on brain slices have been in use since 1951, problems remain that reduce the probability of achieving a stable and successful ...

Recording Brain Electromagnetic Activity During the Administration of the Gaseous Anesthetic Agents Xenon and Nitrous Oxide in Healthy Volunteers

Anesthesia arguably provides one of the only systematic ways to study the neural correlates of global consciousness/unconsciousness. However to date most ...