implanting an electrode into the subthalamic nucleus of a rat

Implanting an Electrode into the Subthalamic Nucleus of a Rat

Use a scalpel to make a midline incision beginning between the ears and extending forward for about 2 centimeters. Ensure that the periosteum is also incised, and then expose the skull with four clamps. Use a cotton bud to gently remove the periosteum until the coronal and sagittal sutures are exposed. Stanch any blood with cotton wool. Fix a needle onto a probe holder, and then mark the tip of the needle with a black felt-tip pen.
Using the anterior-posterior, midline lateral, and dorsoventral drive screws, position the tip of the needle directly over bregma. Take the AP and ML vernier scale readings. Subtract 3.6 millimeters from the AP reading and 2.5 millimeters from the ML reading for electrode implantation into the right STN.
Lower the tip of the needle to the surface of the skull to mark the injection site with the dye from the felt-tip pen. Clamp the dental drill onto the large probe holder of the stereotaxic instrument. Move the dental drill to the marked point on the skull, and while looking through the microscope, drill a hole of about 1-millimeter diameter through the skull until the dura is visible. This is the hole for the electrode.
Retract the dura using microdissection forceps or a sterile needle as the dura is tough enough to destroy the tip of the electrode. Drill a hole with the dental drill in each frontal squama, and in the parietal squama opposite to the hole for the electrode. Thereafter, drill a hole in each interparietal squama. Screw a bone screw into each of the five holes. Avoid threading the screws in too deep, which will put pressure on the brain. The number of turns will depend on the pitch of the screw. Two to three turns of each screw is used here.
Disconnect the probe holder from the stereotaxic instrument and clamp the probe holder with the electrode in the micromanipulator. Using the AP, ML, and DV drive screws, move the probe holder with the electrode until the tip is almost touching bregma. Note the AP, ML, and DV vernier scale readings at bregma. Then, raise the electrode a few millimeters to prevent the electrode from scraping the skull during movement.
To determine the coordinates of the position where the electrode has to be inserted into the hole, add 3.6 millimeters to the AP reading, and add 2.5 millimeters to the ML reading. Using the AP and ML drive screws, move the electrode to the calculated position. At this point, the electrode tip should be situated directly over the drilled electrode hole.
Next, while looking through the microscope, lower the electrode to the level of the dura. Note this as 0 in the DV direction. Then, gently insert the tip of the electrode into the brain while looking through the microscope. Connect the electrode pin to the connector of the recording system. Ground the stereotaxic instrument with the counterpoise of the room.
Then, place a Faraday cage over the rat in the stereotaxic instrument. In place of a Faraday cage, you can also use aluminum foil as shown here since its effect is the same as that of a Faraday cage. Start the recording system while recording the electric activity during the advancement of the electrode. The specific electrical activity of the STN is usually detectable at a depth of between 7.5 and 8.1 millimeters from the dura.
The typical activity of neurons in the STN is characterized by an irregular firing pattern and a high firing rate. Now, swab away any blood or cerebrospinal fluid that was displaced at the surface of the skull when lowering the electrode. Then, mix up a small amount of dental cement, and then use a small spatula to apply it around the electrode and around four of the five screws.
When the dental cement has hardened, disconnect the electrode pin from the electrode holder and connector of the recording system. Then, unscrew the fifth screw that was not fixed by dental cement. Put the plug on the electrode pin and fix the ground wire of the plug with the fourth screw. Apply dental cement around the plug. As the cement thickens, mold it around the plug to form a cap. Avoid sharp edges of the dental cement that may harm the animal and remove them during hardening.
Debride the wound edges and close them with a suture behind the cap and at the front. Disinfect the wound edges. Connect the head plug to the wire that is fixed on a swivel. Then, remove the rat from the stereotaxic instrument. Administer appropriate postoperative analgesia. 12.5 milligrams per kilogram tramadol is used here. Place the rat in a clean cage with thermal support, and fix the swivel on this cage. Observe the recovery of the animal.

implanting-an-electrode-into-the-subthalamic-nucleus-of-a-rat

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Stimulation and Modulation Techniques

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All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board.
1. Anesthesia
<ol>
	<li>Check the anesthetic system to ensure adequate supply of gas (oxygen) and isoflurane for the duration of the procedure. Connect the nosecone with the incisor bar of the stereotaxic instrument and set the incisor bar at -3.3 mm.</li>
	<li>Turn on the supply gas (2 L/min). Place the rat into a box and seal the top. Turn on the isoflurane vaporizer to 3.5%.</li>
	<li>When the rat is recumbent, switch the system so that the anesthetic gas flows to the nosecone, which is fixed to the incisor bar.</li>
	<li>Remove the rat from the box chamber and shave the area between the ears and the eyes; using a cotton bud soaked with Jodosept PVP, swab the shaved area to remove any loose hair.</li>
	<li>Position the rat in the nosecone (Figure 1) and continue the anesthesia with isoflurane 2.5% in O2 (1 L/min). Check the level of anesthesia by pinching the interdigital area. If the rat is anesthetized adequately, the defensive reflexes (i.e., withdrawal of the foot) are abolished.</li>
	<li>Monitor respiration and response to stimulation during the procedure and adjust the vaporizer as needed.</li>
	<li>Apply vet ointment to the eyes to prevent dryness while under anesthesia. A feedback-controlled heating system monitors and maintains body temperature at 37 &#177; 0.5 &#176;C.</li>
</ol>
2. Surgery
<ol>
	<li>Keep the surgical field sterile during the whole surgery. Once the surgeon&#180;s hands and the operating field are sterile, move only carefully and remember not to break sterility. This includes having a sterile field (e.g., sterile waterproof drapes) on which one may set down instruments.</li>
	<li>Inject 0.2 ml mepivacaine subcutaneously into the center of the shaved area. Mepivacaine is a local anesthetic that has a duration of action of up to 3 hr. It will further anesthetize the surgical area.</li>
	<li>Using a scalpel, make a midline incision starting between the ears and extending towards 2 cm. Ensure that the periosteum (shiny membrane under the skin) is also incised. Expose the skull with four clamps (Figure 2).</li>
	<li>Using a cotton bud, gently remove the periosteum until the coronal and sagittal sutures are exposed; thereafter, stanch the blood with cotton wool.</li>
	<li>Determine the coordinates of the bregma using a needle fixed at a probe holder, and then mark the tip of the needle with a black felt-tip pen. Using the anterior/posterior (AP), midline/lateral (ML) and dorsoventral (DV) drive screws, position the tip of the needle directly over the bregma.</li>
	<li>Take the AP and ML vernier scale readings: subtract 3.6 mm from the AP reading and 2.5 mm from the ML reading for electrode implantation into the right STN, or add 2.5 mm for electrode implantation into the left STN. This position will be marked by the dye of the felt-tip pen after lowering the tip of the needle to the surface of the skull.</li>
	<li>Clamp the dental drill onto the large probe holder of the stereotaxic instrument. Move the dental drill to the calculated area &#8211; i.e., the marked point on the skull. Looking through the microscope, drill a hole (diameter about 1 mm) through the skull until the dura is visible (the skull is about 1 mm thick). Retract the dura using micro-dissection forceps or a sterile needle. The dura is tough enough to destroy the tip of the electrode.</li>
	<li>Drill a hole with the dental drill in each frontal squama and in the interparietal squama opposite the electrode hole. Disconnect the probe holder from the stereotaxic instrument. Do not drill on a skull suture, as venous vessels follow the sutures under the skull.</li>
	<li>Screw a bone screw into each of the five holes. Avoid threading the screws in too deep. For stainless-steel screws (M1.6), 2&#8211;3 turns of the screw will adequately hold the screw without putting pressure on the brain. The number of turns will depend on the pitch of the screw. Clamp the probe holder with the electrode in the micromanipulator (Figure 3).</li>
	<li>Using the AP, ML, and DV drive screws, move the probe holder with the electrode until the tip is almost touching the bregma. Note the AP, ML, and DV vernier scale readings at the bregma. When the readings are made, raise the electrode a few millimeters to prevent the electrode from scraping the skull during movement. To determine the coordinates of the position where the electrode has to be inserted into the hole, add 3.6 mm to the AP reading and add (or subtract) 2.5 mm to the ML reading.</li>
	<li>Using the AP and ML drive screws, move the electrode to the calculated position. At this point, the electrode tip should be situated directly over the drilled electrode hole. Then, by looking through the microscope, lower the electrode to the level of the dura (Figure 4). This level serves as a zero-level in the DV direction. Thereafter, gently insert the tip of the electrode into the brain by looking through the microscope.</li>
	<li>Connect the electrode pin to the recording system connector. Place a Faraday cage (or substitute it with aluminum foil) over the rat in the stereotaxic instrument (Figure 5). Ground the stereotaxic instrument with the counterpoise of the room being worked in.</li>
	<li>Start the recording system. If available, also use a loudspeaker to obtain an acoustic signal of discharges/salves of single units while advancing the electrode.</li>
	<li>Slowly insert the electrode into the brain by recording the electric activity while advancing the electrode. At a depth of between 7.5 and 8.1 mm from the dura, the specific electric activity of the STN is usually detectable (Figure 6). The typical activity of neurons in the STN is characterized by an irregular firing pattern and a high firing rate (mean frequency: 40.9 &#177; 12.9 Hz).</li>
	<li>During the recording, reduce anesthesia as much as possible (e.g., to 0.8&#8211;1.0%); low-anesthetized animals show clearer electric brain activity.</li>
	<li>Swab away any blood or cerebrospinal fluid that was displaced from the surface of the skull when the electrode was lowered.</li>
	<li>Mix up a small amount of dental cement and apply it around the electrode and around four of the five screws using a small spatula (Figure 7). The fifth screw will be used to fix the ground wire of the plug.</li>
	<li>Disconnect the electrode pin from the electrode holder and connect the recording system when the dental cement is fixed.</li>
	<li>Unscrew the screw that was not fixed by dental cement. Put the plug on the electrode pin. Fix the ground wire of the plug with the fifth screw (Figure 8).</li>
	<li>Mix up dental cement and apply it around the plug. As the cement thickens, mold it around the plug to form a cap. Avoid sharp edges of the dental cement that may harm the animal and remove them during hardening (Figure 9A and B).</li>
	<li>Debride the wound edges and close them with a suture at the front and behind the cap. Then, disinfect the wound edges.</li>
	<li>Connect the head plug to the wire that is fixed on a swivel. Remove the rat from the stereotaxic instrument.</li>
	<li>Apply tramadol (12.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) at the end of the intervention and then once daily for 2-3 days. Place the rat in a clean cage with thermal support, fix the swivel on this cage (Figure 10), and inspect it carefully for 1 hr.</li>
	<li>Do not leave an animal unattended until it has regained sufficient consciousness to maintain sternal recumbency.</li>
</ol>

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Pt/Ir electrode</td>
			<td>FHC Inc.</td>
			<td>UE</td>
			<td>Custom-made: Specification: UEPSEGSECN1M</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Plugs</td>
			<td>GT Labortechnik (Arnstein/Germany)</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pin header</td>
			<td>DISTRELEC</td>
			<td>143-95-324</td>
			<td>single-row, 90&#176; 1x3 datamate, Type M80-8420342</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Socket</td>
			<td>DISTRELEC</td>
			<td>143-95-621</td>
			<td>single-row,straight 2 mm pole no.1x3 datamate, Type M80-8400342</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stainless steel spring</td>
			<td>Plastics ONE</td>
			<td>SS0102</td>
			<td>Part-#: .120 X .156 Spring ID (mm): 3.0 Spring OD (mm): 4.0</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dental cement/Paladur</td>
			<td>Heraeus Kulzer</td>
			<td>64707938</td>
			<td>Liquid, 500 ml</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dental cement/Paladur</td>
			<td>Heraeus Kulzer</td>
			<td>64707954</td>
			<td>Powder, rose, 500g</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Head screw</td>
			<td>Hummer &#38; Reiss</td>
			<td>V2ADIN84 M1.6x3</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Jodosept PVP</td>
			<td>Vetoquinol</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>435678/E04</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mepivacain 1%</td>
			<td>AstraZeneca</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>PZN03338515</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Epinephrine</td>
			<td>Sanofi-Aventis</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>PZN00176118</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tramadolhydrochloride</td>
			<td>Rotexmedica</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>38449.00.00</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

Source: Fluri, F., et al., <a href="https://app.jove.com/v/53066">Microelectrode Guided Implantation of Electrodes into the Subthalamic Nucleus of Rats for Long-term Deep Brain Stimulation.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (2015)
The video demonstrates a procedure for implanting an electrode into the subthalamic nucleus of a rat to deliver electrical stimuli.

<img alt="Figure 1" src="/files/ftp_upload/22877/22877_Figure1.jpg" /> 
Figure 1. Fixation of the head in the stereotaxic instrument. The rat is fixed by the ear bars of the stereotaxic frame, as well as by the gas anesthesia mask.
<img alt="Figure 2" src="/files/ftp_upload/22877/22877_Figure2.jpg" /> 
Figure 2. Exposing the skull. After a midline inci...

All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board.
1. ...

Prepare an anesthetized rat, secured on a stereotaxic unit.
Make a midline incision.&#160;&#160;
Remove the periosteum, exposing the skull sutures.&#160;&#160;
Mark the right subthalamic nucleus, or STN coordinates for electrode implantation.
Drill a hole and retract the membrane.
Drill additional holes and fix bone screws.
Align the monopolar electrode with the STN coordinates and gently insert it into the region.
Connect the electrode to the recording system. Ground the stereotaxic unit and cover the rat with aluminum foil to prevent electromagnetic interference.
Advance the electrode, monitoring neural activity, to target the STN identified by its irregular firing pattern.
Secure the implants with dental cement.
Disconnect the recording system.
Attach the stimulator connector to the electrode and ground it. Secure the assembly with dental cement.
Close the incision.
Connect the stimulator plug to the swivel-fixed wire for STN stimulation.
Return the rat to its cage and allow recovery.

34 Aufrufe. Implantation einer Elektrode in den subthalamischen Kern einer Ratte

Serie: Implantation einer Elektrode in den subthalamischen Kern einer Ratte - Experiment

Chronic Implantation of Multiple Flexible Polymer Electrode Arrays

Simultaneous recordings from large populations of individual neurons across distributed brain regions over months to years will enable new avenues of scientific and clinical development. The use of flexible polymer electrode arrays can support long-lasting recording, but the same mechanical properties that allow for longevity of recording make multiple insertions and integration into a chronic implant a challenge. Here is a methodology by which multiple polymer electrode arrays can be targeted to a relatively spatially unconstrained set of brain areas.
The method utilizes thin-film polymer devices, selected for their biocompatibility and capability to achieve long-term and stable&#160;electrophysiologic recording interfaces. The resultant implant allows accurate and flexible targeting of anatomically distant regions, physical stability for months, and robustness to electrical noise. The methodology supports up to sixteen serially inserted devices across eight different anatomic targets. As previously demonstrated, the methodology is capable of recording from 1024 channels. Of these, the 512 channels in this demonstration used for single neuron recording yielded 375 single units distributed across six recording sites. Importantly, this method also can record single units for at least 160 days.
This implantation strategy, including temporarily bracing each device with a retractable silicon insertion shuttle, involves tethering of devices at their target depths to a skull-adhered plastic base piece that is custom-designed for each set of recording targets, and stabilization/protection of the devices within a silicone-filled, custom-designed plastic case. Also covered is the preparation of devices for implantation, and design principles that should guide adaptation to different combinations of brain areas or array designs.

Described below is a method for implantation of multiple polymer electrode arrays across anatomically distant brain regions for chronic electrophysiological recording in freely moving rats. Preparation and surgical implantation are described in detail, with emphasis on design principles to guide adaptation of these methods for use in other species.

Chronische Implantation mehrerer flexibler Polymerelektroden-Arrays

Simultaneous recordings from large populations of individual neurons across distributed brain regions over months to years will enable new avenues of ...

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JoVE Journal

Neurowissenschaften

Preparation of Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Electrodes for Chronic Implantation in Rats

Peripheral nerve cuff electrodes have long been used in the neurosciences and related fields for stimulation of, for example, vagus or sciatic nerves. Several recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of chronic VNS in enhancing central nervous system plasticity to improve motor rehabilitation, extinction learning, and sensory discrimination. Construction of chronically implantable devices for use in such studies is challenging due to rats&#8217; small size, and typical protocols require extensive training of personnel and time-consuming microfabrication methods. Alternatively, commercially available implantable cuff electrodes can be purchased at a significantly higher cost. In this protocol, we present a simple, low-cost method for construction of small, chronically implantable peripheral nerve cuff electrodes for use in rats. We validate the short and long-term reliability of our cuff electrodes by demonstrating that VNS in ketamine/xylazine anesthetized rats produces decreases in breathing rate consistent with activation of the Hering-Breuer reflex, both at the time of implantation and up to 10 weeks after device implantation. We further demonstrate the suitability of the cuff electrodes for use in chronic stimulation studies by pairing VNS with skilled lever press performance to induce motor cortical map plasticity.

Existing approaches for constructing chronically implantable peripheral nerve cuff electrodes for use in small rodents often require specialized equipment and/or highly trained personnel. In this protocol we demonstrate a simple, low-cost approach for fabricating chronically implantable cuff electrodes, and demonstrate their effectiveness for vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in rats.

Vorbereitung von peripheren Nervenstimulationselektroden für die chronische Implantation bei Ratten

Peripheral nerve cuff electrodes have long been used in the neurosciences and related fields for stimulation of, for example, vagus or sciatic nerves. ...

Stereotaxic Viral Injection and Gradient-Index Lens Implantation for Deep Brain In Vivo Calcium Imaging

A miniature fluorescence microscope (miniscope) is a potent tool for in vivo calcium imaging from freely behaving animals. It offers several advantages over conventional multi-photon calcium imaging systems: (1) compact; (2) light-weighted; (3) affordable; and (4) allows recording from freely behaving animals. This protocol describes brain surgeries for deep brain in vivo calcium imaging using a custom-developed miniscope recording system. The preparation procedure consists of three steps, including (1) stereotaxically injecting the virus at the desired brain region of a mouse brain to label a specific subgroup of neurons with genetically encoded calcium sensor; (2) implantation of gradient-index (GRIN) lens that can relay calcium image from deep brain region to the miniscope system; and (3) affixing the miniscope holder over the mouse skull where miniscope can be attached later. To perform in vivo calcium imaging, the miniscope is fastened onto the holder, and neuronal calcium images are collected along with simultaneous behavior recordings. The present surgery protocol is compatible with any commercial or custom-built single-photon and two-photon imaging systems for deep brain in vivo calcium imaging.

Stereotaxic Viral Injection and Gradient-Index Lens Implantation for Deep Brain In Vivo Calcium Imaging

Miniscope in vivo calcium imaging is a powerful technique to study neuronal dynamics and microcircuits in freely behaving mice. This protocol describes performing brain surgeries to achieve good in vivo calcium imaging using a miniscope.

Stereotaktische virale Injektion und Gradientenindex-Linsenimplantation für Deep Brain In Vivo Calcium Imaging

A miniature fluorescence microscope (miniscope) is a potent tool for in vivo calcium imaging from freely behaving animals. It offers several advantages ...

Implanting an Electrode into the Subthalamic Nucleus of a Rat

Transkript

Implanting an Electrode into the Subthalamic Nucleus of a Rat