Name: adaptable angled stereotactic approach for versatile neuroscience techniques
Uploaded: 2020-05-07T13:30:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Adaptable Angled Stereotactic Approach for Versatile Neuroscience Techniques at JoVE.com

This work was supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) grants F31-DK-113673 (C.L.F.), T32-GM-095421 (C.L.F.), DK-089056 (G.J.M.), an American Diabetes Association Innovative Basic Science Award (#1-19-IBS-192 to G.J.M.) and the NIDDK-funded Nutrition Obesity Research Center (DK-035816), Diabetes Research Center (DK-017047) and Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism Training Grant T32 DK0007247 (T.H.M) at the University of Washington.

All procedures were approved in accordance with the National Institutes of Health, the Guide for the Care and Use of Animals and were approved by both the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Environmental Health and Safety at the University of Washington.
1. Calculation of angled coordinates
<ol>
	<li>Using a coronal brain atlas, mark a right triangle so that the hypotenuse passes through the target region of interest. In the representative example (F...

<ol>
	<li>King, B. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+rise,+fall,+and+resurrection+of+the+ventromedial+hypothalamus+in+the+regulation+of+feeding+behavior+and+body+weight.">The rise, fall, and resurrection of the ventromedial hypothalamus in the regulation of feeding behavior and body weight.</a> Physiology and Behavior. 87, 221-244 (2006).</li><li>Boyden, E. S., Zhang, F., Bamberg, E., Nagel, G., Deisseroth, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Millisecond-timescale,+genetically+targeted+optical+control+of+neural+activity.">Millisecond-timescale, genetically targeted optical control of neural activity.</a> Nature Neuroscience. 8, 1263-1268 (2005).</li><li>Roth, B. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=DREADDs+for+Neuroscientists.">DREADDs for Neuroscientists.</a> Neuron. 89, 683-694 (2016).</li><li>Richevaux, L., Schenberg, L., Beraneck, M., Fricker, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+Vivo+Intracerebral+Stereotaxic+Injections+for+Optogenetic+Stimulation+of+Long-Range+Inputs+in+Mouse+Brain+Slices.">In Vivo Intracerebral Stereotaxic Injections for Optogenetic Stimulation of Long-Range Inputs in Mouse Brain Slices.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. , e59534 (2019).</li><li>Fricano-Kugler, C. J., Williams, M. R., Luikart, B., Salinaro, J. R., Li, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Designing,+packaging,+and+delivery+of+high+titer+crispr+retro+and+lentiviruses+via+stereotaxic+injection.">Designing, packaging, and delivery of high titer crispr retro and lentiviruses via stereotaxic injection.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. , e53783 (2016).</li><li>McSweeney, C., Mao, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Applying+Stereotactic+Injection+Technique+to+Study+Genetic+Effects+on+Animal+Behaviors.">Applying Stereotactic Injection Technique to Study Genetic Effects on Animal Behaviors.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. (99), e52653 (2015).</li><li>Lowell, B. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=New+Neuroscience+of+Homeostasis+and+Drives+for+Food,+Water,+and+Salt.">New Neuroscience of Homeostasis and Drives for Food, Water, and Salt.</a> New England Journal of Medicine. 380, 459-471 (2019).</li><li>Sidor, M. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vivo+optogenetic+stimulation+of+the+rodent+central+nervous+system.">In vivo optogenetic stimulation of the rodent central nervous system.</a> Journal of Visualized Experiments. , e51483 (2015).</li><li>Faber, C. L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Distinct+Neuronal+Projections+from+the+Hypothalamic+Ventromedial+Nucleus+Mediate+Glycemic+and+Behavioral+Effects.">Distinct Neuronal Projections from the Hypothalamic Ventromedial Nucleus Mediate Glycemic and Behavioral Effects.</a> Diabetes. 67, 2518-2529 (2018).</li><li>Berndt, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Structural+foundations+of+optogenetics:+Determinants+of+channelrhodopsin+ion+selectivity.">Structural foundations of optogenetics: Determinants of channelrhodopsin ion selectivity.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Scences. 113, 822-829 (2016).</li><li>Faber, C. L., Matsen, M. E., Meek, T. H., Krull, J. E., Morton, G. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+customizable+procedure+for+angled+stereotaxic+implantation+and+microinjection+in+the+rodent+brain.">A customizable procedure for angled stereotaxic implantation and microinjection in the rodent brain.</a> Kopf Carrier. 96, (2019).</li><li>Correia, P., Matias, S., Mainen, Z. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stereotaxic+Adeno-associated+Virus+Injection+and+Cannula+Implantation+in+the+Dorsal+Raphe+Nucleus+of+Mice.">Stereotaxic Adeno-associated Virus Injection and Cannula Implantation in the Dorsal Raphe Nucleus of Mice.</a> Bio-Protocol. 7, 2549 (2017).</li><li>Cardozo Pinto, D. 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Recent advances in neuroscience have supported advanced insight and understanding into the activity and function of brain neurocircuits. This includes the application of optogenetic and chemogenetic technologies to activate or silence discrete neuronal populations and their projection sites in vivo. More recently, this has included the development of genetically encoded calcium indicators (e.g., GCaMP, RCaMP) and other fluorometric biosensors (e.g., dopamine, norepinephrine) for in vivo recording of neuronal activity in ...

Neural control of behavior, feeding, and metabolism involves coordination of highly complex, integrative, and redundant neurocircuits. A driving goal of the neuroscience field is to dissect the relationship between neuronal circuit structure and function. Although classical neuroscience tools (i.e., lesioning, local pharmacological injections, and electrical stimulation) have uncovered vital knowledge regarding the role of specific brain regions that control behavior and metabolism, these tools are limited by their lack of specificity and reversibility1.
Recent advances in the neuroscience field have greatly improved the ability to interrogate and manipulate circuit function in a cell-type specific manner with high spatiotemporal resolution. Optogenetic2 and chemogenetic3 approaches, for instance, allow the rapid and reversible manipulation of activity in genetically defined cell types of freely moving animals. Optogenetics involves the use of light-sensitive ion channels, termed channelrhodopsins, to control neuronal activity. Key to this technique is the gene delivery of channelrhodopsin and a source of light to activate the opsin. A common strategy for gene delivery is through a combination of 1) genetically engineered mice expressing Cre-recombinase in discrete neurons, and 2) Cre-dependent viral vectors encoding channelrhodopsin.
While optogenetics provides an elegant, highly precise means to control neuronal activity, the method is contingent upon successful stereotactic microinjection of the viral vector and fiberoptic placement into a defined brain region. Although stereotactic procedures are commonplace within the modern neuroscience lab (and there are several excellent protocols describing this procedure)4,5,6, being able to consistently and reproducibly target discrete brain regions along the midline (i.e., the mediobasal hypothalamus, a brain area critical to the regulation of homeostatic functions7) presents additional challenges. These challenges include avoiding of the superior sagittal sinus, third ventricle, and adjacent hypothalamic nuclei. In addition, there are significant spatial limitations to the bilateral implantation of hardware that is required for inhibition studies. With these challenges in mind, this protocol herein presents a modifiable procedure for targeting discrete brain regions via an angled stereotactic approach.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Fiberoptic Cannulae</td>
			<td>Doric Lenses</td>
			<td>MFC_200/230-0.57_###_MF1.25_FLT</td>
			<td>Customizable</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Kopf Model 1900 Stereotaxic Alignment System</td>
			<td>Kopf</td>
			<td>Model 1900</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Kopf Model 1900-51 Center Height Gauge</td>
			<td>Kopf</td>
			<td>Model 1900-51</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Kopf Model 1905 Alignment Indicator</td>
			<td>Kopf</td>
			<td>Model 1905</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Kopf Model 1911 Stereotaxic Drill</td>
			<td>Kopf</td>
			<td>Model 1911</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Kopf Model 1915 Centering Scope</td>
			<td>Kopf</td>
			<td>Model 1915</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Kopf Model 1922 60-Degree Non-Rupture Ear Bars</td>
			<td>Kopf</td>
			<td>Model 1922</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Kopf Model 1923-B Mouse Gas Anesthesia Head Holder</td>
			<td>Kopf</td>
			<td>Model 1923-B</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Kopf Model 1940 Micro Manipulator</td>
			<td>Kopf</td>
			<td>Model 1940</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micro4 Microinjection System</td>
			<td>World Precision Instruments</td>
			<td>--</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouse bone screws</td>
			<td>Plastics One</td>
			<td>00-96 X 1/16</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stereotaxic Cannula Holder, 1.25mm ferrule</td>
			<td>Thor Labs</td>
			<td>XCL</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Surgical Drill</td>
			<td>Cell Point Scientific</td>
			<td>Ideal Micro Drill</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

adaptable angled stereotactic approach for versatile neuroscience techniques

Stereotactic surgery is an essential tool in the modern neuroscience lab. However, the ability to precisely and accurately target difficult-to-reach brain regions still presents a challenge, particularly when targeting brain structures along the midline. These challenges include avoiding of the superior sagittal sinus and third ventricle and the ability to consistently target selective and discrete brain nuclei. In addition, more advanced neuroscience techniques (e.g., optogenetics, fiber photometry, and two-photon imaging) rely on targeted implantation of significant hardware to the brain, and spatial limitations are a common hindrance. Presented here is a modifiable protocol for stereotactic targeting of rodent brain structures using an angled coronal approach. It can be adapted to 1) mouse or rat models, 2) various neuroscience techniques, and 3) multiple brain regions. As a representative example, it includes the calculation of stereotactic coordinates for targeting of the mouse hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus (VMN) for an optogenetic inhibition experiment. This procedure begins with the bilateral microinjection of an adeno-associated virus (AAV) encoding a light-sensitive chloride channel (SwiChR++) to a Cre-dependent mouse model, followed by the angled bilateral implantation of fiberoptic cannulae. Using this approach, findings show that activation of a subset of VMN neurons is required for intact glucose counterregulatory responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia.

This protocol describes a surgical procedure for performing optogenetics studies to interrogate the role of hypothalamic VMN neurons in glycemic control9. First utilized was a standard (non-angled) stereotactic approach for the bilateral microinjection of an inhibitory channelrhodopsin virus to the VMN. While an angled approach would also be suitable, the standard (non-angled) approach was selected because it is sufficient to target the brain region of interest and is an easy, reliable and consist...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Adaptable Angled Stereotactic Approach for Versatile Neuroscience Techniques at JoVE.com

Adaptable Angled Stereotactic Approach for Versatile Neuroscience Techniques

Described here is a stereotactic procedure that can target challenging and difficult-to-reach brain regions (due to spatial limitations) using an angled coronal approach. This protocol is adaptable to both mouse and rat models and can be applied to diverse neuroscientific applications, including cannula implantation and microinjections of viral constructs.

Stereotactic surgery is an essential tool in the modern neuroscience lab. However, the ability to precisely and accurately target difficult-to-reach brain ...

This protocol is significant as it is an adaptable, stereotactic procedure that can be utilized in both mice and rats, and can be applied to many new neuroscientific techniques. The main advantage of this adaptable stereotactic procedure is it's ability to be used to target challenging and difficult-to-reach regions of the brain. Demonstrating the procedure will be Chelsea Faber, a young, talented post-doctoral research fellow in the laboratory.After confirming that the frame and micromanipulator have been calibrated, place the center height gauge into the socket of the head holder baseplate. Secure the centering scope in the tool holder and sight down the scope. Adjust the position of the micromanipulator until the crosshairs are aligned and focused on the gauge crosshairs, and place the ear bars into the holders such that the indicator lines on both sides are at zero.Use the medial-lateral and anterior-posterior knobs on the head holder to centerline the ear bars in the X and Y planes above the crosshair of the center height gauge. To align the ear bar position in the Z-axis, remove the ear bars from the holder and remove the center height gauge. Then, replace the ear bars and re-center the bars at zero.Then, sight down the scope again, and use the vertical shift and coronal tilt knobs respectively to lower and rotate the ear bars until the scope crosshairs remain centered between the ear bars throughout coronal rotation. To align the central axis of rotation for angled coordinates, secure the centering scope in the tool holder and position the micromanipulator to the calculated coordinate. Note that the right/left coordinate for the angled implantation corresponds to the length of side A.Sighting down the scope, mark this coordinate to represent the point at which the cannula will enter the brain, once the head is rotated.Reposition the micromanipulator over the midline, and use the coronal tilt knob to rotate the head to the calculated angle. If the scope crosshairs do not line up with the reference mark, use the vertical shift knob to adjust the head position in the Z-axis until the crosshairs line up as close as possible to the mark. At this point, the arbitrary point of rotation should be aligned with the center of rotation of the stereotax.Rotate the head back to the zero degree coronal position before proceeding to subsequent drilling and microinjection steps. After performing the microinjection, return the head to the zero degree level position, and use a hand drill to place two holes, anteriorly, and two holes, posteriorly, far enough from the angled coordinate burr holes to accommodate the ferrule portion of the fiberoptic that sits above the skull. When all of the holes have been drilled, use a small flathead screwdriver to insert the bone screws as gently as possible, such that they sit firmly in the skull without penetrating the brain.Clamp a fiberoptic cannula into the cannula holder, and place the cannula holder in the tool holder. Rotate the head to the calculated angle, noting that the coordinates of the micromanipulator do not apply to the new tool. Use the center of the angled burr holes as the implantation target.Lower the fiber optic until it just touches the dura within the center of the burr hole, and zero the micromanipulator in the Z-axis. Slowly lower the fiberoptic to the dorsal ventral angled coordinate, then use cyanoacrylate gel to connect the fiber optic ferrule to the ipsilateral anchor screws. Use a micropipette tip to apply an accelerant.Once the gel has completely hardened, gently loosen and raise the cannula holder until it is clear of the ferrule. Implant the second fiberoptic to the contralateral angled coordinate, then level the head. For extra security, use the cyanoacrylate gel and accelerant to make an additional connection between the two angled fiberoptic cannulas, and apply a small, relatively thin amount of dental cement to the surface of the skull, taking care to thoroughly cover the anchor screws and the base of the fiberoptic cannulas.To interrogate the role of hypothalamus ventromedial nucleus neurons in glycemic control, in this representative analysis, a standard, non-angled, stereotactic approach was utilized for the bilateral microinjection of an inhibitory channel rhodopsin virus to the ventromedial nucleus. Given the proximity of the ventromedial nucleus to the midline, space constraints did not permit a non-angled implantation of bilateral fiberoptics, necessitating the development of a surgical strategy for precisely implanting fiberoptics at an angle. The most important things to remember are to simply be patient and to take your time, as being consistent and accurate with your coordinate assignments is critical to success.This procedure can be adapted and applied to any neuroscientific method requiring microinjection or implantation into the rodent brain, including chemogenetics, optogenetics, and fiber photometry approaches.

adaptable-angled-stereotactic-approach-for-versatile-neuroscience

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

A Novel Approach for Documenting Phosphenes Induced by Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Stimulation of the human visual cortex produces a transient perception of light, known as a phosphene. Phosphenes are induced by invasive electrical stimulation of the occipital cortex, but also by non-invasive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)1 of the same cortical regions. The intensity at which a phosphene is induced (phosphene threshold) is a well established measure of visual cortical excitability and is used to study cortico-cortical interactions, functional organization 2, susceptibility to pathology 3,4 and visual processing 5-7. Phosphenes are typically defined by three characteristics: they are observed in the visual hemifield contralateral to stimulation; they are induced when the subject s eyes are open or closed, and their spatial location changes with the direction of gaze 2. Various methods have been used to document phosphenes, but a standardized methodology is lacking. We demonstrate a reliable procedure to obtain phosphene threshold values and introduce a novel system for the documentation and analysis of phosphenes. We developed the Laser Tracking and Painting system (LTaP), a low cost, easily built and operated system that records the location and size of perceived phosphenes in real-time. The LTaP system provides a stable and customizable environment for quantification and analysis of phosphenes.

Phosphenes are transient percepts of light that can be induced by applying Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to visually sensitive regions of cortex. We demonstrate a standard protocol for determining the phosphene threshold value and introduce a novel method for quantifying and analyzing perceived phosphenes.

Stimulation of the human visual cortex produces a transient perception of light, known as a phosphene. Phosphenes are induced by invasive electrical ...

High Density Event-related Potential  Data Acquisition in Cognitive Neuroscience

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is currently the standard method of evaluating brain function in the field of Cognitive Neuroscience, in part because fMRI data acquisition and analysis techniques are readily available. Because fMRI has excellent spatial resolution but poor temporal resolution, this method can only be used to identify the spatial location of brain activity associated with a given cognitive process (and reveals virtually nothing about the time course of brain activity). By contrast, event-related potential (ERP) recording, a method that is used much less frequently than fMRI, has excellent temporal resolution and thus can track rapid temporal modulations in neural activity. Unfortunately, ERPs are under utilized in Cognitive Neuroscience because data acquisition techniques are not readily available and low density ERP recording has poor spatial resolution. In an effort to foster the increased use of ERPs in Cognitive Neuroscience, the present article details key techniques involved in high density ERP data acquisition. Critically, high density ERPs offer the promise of excellent temporal resolution and good spatial resolution (or excellent spatial resolution if coupled with fMRI), which is necessary to capture the spatial-temporal dynamics of human brain function.

Event-related potential (ERP) recording is under utilized in Cognitive Neuroscience because data acquisition techniques are not readily available and this method often has poor spatial resolution. To foster the increased use of ERPs in Cognitive Neuroscience, the present article details key techniques involved in high density ERP data acquisition.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is currently the standard method of evaluating brain function in the field of Cognitive Neuroscience, in part ...

Rodent Stereotaxic Surgery and Animal Welfare Outcome Improvements for Behavioral Neuroscience

Stereotaxic surgery for the implantation of cannulae into specific brain regions has for many decades been a very successful experimental technique to investigate the effects of locally manipulated neurotransmitter and signaling pathways in awake, behaving animals. Moreover, the stereotaxic implantation of electrodes for electrophysiological stimulation and recording studies has been instrumental to our current understanding of neuroplasticity and brain networks in behaving animals. Ever-increasing knowledge about optimizing surgical techniques in rodents1-4, public awareness concerning animal welfare issues and stringent legislation (e.g., the 2010 European Union Directive on the use of laboratory animals5) prompted us to refine these surgical procedures, particularly with respect to implementing new procedures for oxygen supplementation and the continuous monitoring of blood oxygenation and heart rate levels during the surgery as well as introducing a standardized protocol for post-surgical care. Our observations indicate that these modifications resulted in an increased survival rate and an improvement in the general condition of the animals after surgery (e.g. less weight loss and a more active animal). This video presentation will show the general procedures involved in this type of stereotaxic surgery with special attention to our several modifications. We will illustrate these surgical procedures in rats, but it is also possible to perform this type of surgery in mice or other small laboratory animals by using special adaptors for the stereotaxic apparatus6.

Stereotaxic surgery on rodents allows for targeted administration of drugs or electrical stimulation and recordings in awake, behaving animals. In this video presentation we will demonstrate recent procedural refinements to this long-standing procedure that successfully improved survival rate and reduced post-surgical weight loss.

Stereotaxic surgery for the implantation of cannulae into specific brain regions has for many decades been a very successful experimental technique to ...

A Fully Automated and Highly Versatile System for Testing Multi-cognitive Functions and Recording Neuronal Activities in Rodents

We have developed a fully automated system for operant behavior testing and neuronal activity recording by which multiple cognitive brain functions can be investigated in a single task sequence. The unique feature of this system is a custom-made, acoustically transparent chamber that eliminates many of the issues associated with auditory cue control in most commercially available chambers. The ease with which operant devices can be added or replaced makes this system quite versatile, allowing for the implementation of a variety of auditory, visual, and olfactory behavioral tasks. Automation of the system allows fine temporal (10 ms) control and precise time-stamping of each event in a predesigned behavioral sequence. When combined with a multi-channel electrophysiology recording system, multiple cognitive brain functions, such as motivation, attention, decision-making, patience, and rewards, can be examined sequentially or independently.

In this report, we present a fully automated and highly versatile system capable of simultaneously testing multi-cognitive behaviors and recording neuronal activities for rodents.

We have developed a fully automated system for operant behavior testing and neuronal activity recording by which multiple cognitive brain functions can be ...

Investigating the Function of Deep Cortical and Subcortical Structures Using Stereotactic Electroencephalography: Lessons from the Anterior Cingulate Cortex

Stereotactic Electroencephalography (SEEG) is a technique used to localize seizure foci in patients with medically intractable epilepsy. This procedure involves the chronic placement of multiple depth electrodes into regions of the brain typically inaccessible via subdural grid electrode placement. SEEG thus provides a unique opportunity to investigate brain function. In this paper we demonstrate how SEEG can be used to investigate the role of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) in cognitive control. We include a description of the SEEG procedure, demonstrating the surgical placement of the electrodes. We describe the components and process required to record local field potential (LFP) data from consenting subjects while they are engaged in a behavioral task. In the example provided, subjects play a cognitive interference task, and we demonstrate how signals are recorded and analyzed from electrodes in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, an area intimately involved in decision-making. We conclude with further suggestions of ways in which this method can be used for investigating human cognitive processes.

Stereotactic Electroencephalography (SEEG) is an operative technique used in epilepsy surgery to help localize seizure foci. It also affords a unique opportunity to investigate brain function. Here we describe how SEEG can be used to investigate cognitive processes in human subjects.

Stereotactic Electroencephalography (SEEG) is a technique used to localize seizure foci in patients with medically intractable epilepsy. This procedure ...

A Simple Alternative to Stereotactic Injection for Brain Specific Knockdown of miRNA

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression. In the brain, vital processes like neurodevelopment and neuronal functions depend on the correct expression of microRNAs. Perturbation of microRNAs in the brain can be used to model neurodegenerative diseases by modulating neuronal cell death. Currently, stereotactic injection is used to deliver miRNA knockdown agents to specific location in the brain. Here, we discuss strategies to design antagomirs against miRNA with locked nucleotide modifications (LNA). Subsequently describe a method for brain specific delivery of antagomirs, uniformly across different regions of the brain. This method is simple and widely applicable since it overcomes the surgery, associated injury and limitation of local delivery in stereotactic injections. We prepared a complex of neurotropic, cell-penetrating peptide Rabies Virus Glycoprotein (RVG) with antagomir against miRNA-29 and injected through tail vein, to specifically deliver in the brain. The antagomir design incorporated features that allow specific targeting of the miRNA and formation of non-covalent complexes with the peptide. The knock-down of the miRNA in neuronal cells, resulted in apoptotic cell death and associated behavioural defects. Thus, the method can be used for acute models of neuro-degeneration through the perturbation of miRNAs.

MicroRNAs play crucial roles in the brain and are potential targets for modeling neuro-degeneration. However, perturbing miRNA levels is challenging due to the short length of miRNA and inaccessibility of the brain tissue. This video presents a method for antagomir design and brain specific delivery using a neuropeptide in mice.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression.  In the brain, vital processes like neurodevelopment and neuronal functions depend on the ...

Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Approach: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pituitary Adenomas

Endoscopic endonasal trans-sphenoidal surgery has become the gold standard for the surgical treatment of pituitary adenomas and many other pituitary lesions. Refinements in surgical techniques, technological advancements, and incorporation of neuronavigation have rendered this surgery minimally invasive. The complication rates of this surgery are very low while excellent results are consistently obtained through this approach.
This paper focuses on the step-by-step surgical approach to pituitary adenomas, which is based on personal experience, and details the results obtained with this minimally invasive surgery.

The aim of this paper is to describe the different steps of the endoscopic endonasal approach to the sella turcica.

Endoscopic endonasal trans-sphenoidal surgery has become the gold standard for the surgical treatment of pituitary adenomas and many other pituitary ...

Stereotactic Atlas-Guided Laser Capture Microdissection of Brain Regions Affected by Traumatic Injury

The ability to isolate specific brain regions of interest can be impeded in tissue disassociation techniques that do not preserve their spatial distribution. Such techniques also potentially skew gene expression analysis because the process itself can alter expression patterns in individual cells. Here we describe a laser capture microdissection (LCM) method to selectively collect specific brain regions affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI) by using a modified Nissl (cresyl violet) staining protocol and the guidance of a rat brain atlas. LCM provides access to brain regions in their native positions and the ability to use anatomical landmarks for identification of each specific region. To this end, LCM has been used previously to examine brain region specific gene expression in TBI. This protocol allows examination of TBI-induced alterations in gene and microRNA expression in distinct brain areas within the same animal. The principles of this protocol can be amended and applied to a wide range of studies examining genomic expression in other disease and/or animal models.

We describe the use of laser capture microdissection to obtain samples of distinct cell populations from different brain regions for gene and microRNA analysis. This technique allows the study of differential effects of traumatic brain injury in specific regions of the rat brain.

The ability to isolate specific brain regions of interest can be impeded in tissue disassociation techniques that do not preserve their spatial ...

A Simple Approach to Induce Experimental Autoimmune Neuritis in C57BL/6 Mice for Functional and Neuropathological Assessments

Experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) is a well-appreciated experimental model of autoimmune peripheral demyelinating diseases. EAN disease is induced by immunizing mice with neurogenic peptides to direct an inflammatory attack toward components of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Recent advances have enabled the induction of EAN in the relatively resistant C57BL/6 mouse line using myelin protein zero (P0)106-125 or P0180-199 peptides delivered in adjuvant combined with the injection of pertussis toxin. The ability to induce EAN in the C57BL/6 strain allows for the use of the numerous genetic tools that exist on this mouse background, and thus allows the sophisticated study of disease pathogenesis and interrogation of the mechanistic action of novel therapeutics in combination with transgenic approaches. In this study, we demonstrate a simple approach to successfully induce EAN using the P0180-199 peptide in C57BL/6 mice. We also outline a protocol for the assessment of functional deficits that occur in this model, accompanied by an array of neuropathological features. Thus, this model is a powerful experimental model to study the pathogenesis of human peripheral demyelinating neuropathies, and to determine the efficacy of potential therapies that aim to promote myelin repair and protect against nerve damage in autoimmune neuritis.

This report outlines a simple approach to successfully induce experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) using the myelin protein zero (P0)180-199 peptide in combination with Freund&#39;s complete adjuvant and pertussis toxin. We present a sophisticated paradigm capable of accurately assessing the extent of functional deficits and neuropathology that occur in this EAN.

Experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) is a well-appreciated experimental model of autoimmune peripheral demyelinating diseases. EAN disease is induced by ...

An Unbiased Approach of Sampling TEM Sections in Neuroscience

Investigations of the ultrastructural features of neurons and their synapses are only possible with electron microscopy. Especially for comparative studies of the changes in densities and distributions of such features, an unbiased sampling protocol is vital for reliable results. Here, we present a workflow for the image acquisition of brain samples. The workflow allows systematic uniform random sampling within a defined brain region, and the images can be analyzed using a disector. This technique is much faster than extensive examination of serial sections but still presents a feasible approach to estimate the densities and distributions of ultrastructure features. Before embedding, stained vibratome sections were used as a reference to identify the brain region under investigation, which helped speed up the overall specimen preparation process. This approach was used for comparative studies investigating the effect of an enriched-housing environment on several ultrastructural parameters in the mouse brain. Based on the successful use of the workflow, we adapted it for the purpose of elemental analysis of brain samples. We optimized the protocol in terms of the time of user-interaction. Automating all the time-consuming steps by compiling a script for the open source software SerialEM helps the user to focus on the main work of acquiring the elemental maps. As in the original workflow, we paid attention to the unbiased sampling approach to guarantee reliable results.

We introduce a novel workflow for electron microscopy investigations of brain tissue. The method allows the user to examine neuronal features in an unbiased fashion. For elemental analysis, we also present a script that automatizes most of the workflow for randomized sampling.

Investigations of the ultrastructural features of neurons and their synapses are only possible with electron microscopy. Especially for comparative ...