המחברים מבקשים להודות ד&quot;ר צ&#39;רלס Luetje למתן T-מבוך וחדר התנהגות. עבודה זו נתמכת על ידי איגוד הלב האמריקני (כדי י.א.), המכון הלאומי לחקר הפרעות נוירולוגיות ושבץ גרנט R01NS64269 (עד RGZ), ואת האמון Pew Charitable (עד RGZ).

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	<li>Bonini, N. M., Fortini, M. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Human+neurodegenerative+disease+modeling+using+Drosophila.">Human neurodegenerative disease modeling using Drosophila.</a> Annual Review of Neuroscience. 26, 627-656 (2003).</li><li>Lloyd, T. E. &. a. m. p. ;. a. m. p., Taylor, J. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Flightless+flies:+Drosophila+models+of+neuromuscular+disease.">Flightless flies: Drosophila models of neuromuscular disease.</a> Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1184, e1-e20 (2010).</li><li>Benzer, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Behavioral+mutants+of+Drosophila+isolated+by+countercurrent+distribution.">Behavioral mutants of Drosophila isolated by countercurrent distribution.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 58, 1112-1119 (1967).</li><li>Le Bourg, E., Buecher, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Learned+suppression+of+photopositive+tendencies+in+Drosophila+melanogaster.">Learned suppression of photopositive tendencies in Drosophila melanogaster.</a> Animal Learning &#38; Behavior. 30, 330-341 (2002).</li><li>Seugnet, L., Suzuki, Y., Stidd, R., Shaw, P. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Aversive+phototaxic+suppression:+evaluation+of+a+short-term+memory+assay+in+Drosophila+melanogaster.">Aversive phototaxic suppression: evaluation of a short-term memory assay in Drosophila melanogaster.</a> Genes Brain Behav. 8, 377-389 (2009).</li><li>Nilsen, S. P., Chan, Y. -. B., Huber, R., Kravitz, E. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Gender-selective+patterns+of+aggressive+behavior+in+Drosophila+melanogaster.">Gender-selective patterns of aggressive behavior in Drosophila melanogaster.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 101, 12342-12347 (2004).</li><li>Leal, S. M., Neckameyer, W. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pharmacological+evidence+for+GABAergic+regulation+of+specific+behaviors+in+Drosophila+melanogaster.">Pharmacological evidence for GABAergic regulation of specific behaviors in Drosophila melanogaster.</a> J Neurobiol. 50, 245-261 (2002).</li><li>Wittmann, C. W., Wszolek, M. F., Shulman, J. M., Salvaterra, P. M., Lewis, J., Hutton, M., Feany, M. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tauopathy+in+Drosophila:+Neurodegeneration+Without+Neurofibrillary+Tangles.">Tauopathy in Drosophila: Neurodegeneration Without Neurofibrillary Tangles.</a> Science. 293, 711-714 (2001).</li><li>Mershin, A., Pavlopoulos, E., Fitch, O., Braden, B. C., Nanopoulos, D. V., Skoulakis, E. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Learning+and+memory+deficits+upon+TAU+accumulation+in+Drosophila+mushroom+body+neurons.">Learning and memory deficits upon TAU accumulation in Drosophila mushroom body neurons.</a> Learn Mem. 11, 277-287 (2004).</li><li>Ganetzky, B., Wu, C. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Indirect+Suppression+Involving+Behavioral+Mutants+with+Altered+Nerve+Excitability+in+DROSOPHILA+MELANOGASTER.">Indirect Suppression Involving Behavioral Mutants with Altered Nerve Excitability in DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER.</a> Genetics. 100, 597-614 (1982).</li><li>Hall, J. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Acetylcholinesterase+mutants+in+Drosophila+and+their+effects+on+the+structure+and+function+of+the+central+nervous+system.">Acetylcholinesterase mutants in Drosophila and their effects on the structure and function of the central nervous system.</a> J Comp Neurol. 189, 741-774 (1980).</li></ol>

אין ניגודי אינטרסים הכריז.

שני geotaxis שלילי מבחני APS הם מבחני התנהגות חזקים כדי למדוד שינויים של תנועה או למידה יכולות זיכרון הנובע מניפולציה גנטית או סביבתית. עם זאת, ישנם כמה חסרונות אלה מבחני כי מחכים אופטימיזציה נוספת. ב assay geotaxis שליליות, מוטציות בגנים מסוימים יכול להפוך בתפקוד המוטורי הקשה זבובים. במקרים כאלה, הזבובים בקושי יכול לטפס על קירות בתגובה הכבידה על תסיסה. מבחני התנהגות אחרים למדוד ישירות תנועה עשויים להיות מתאימים יותר. מבחני אלו כוללים התנהגות רפלקס ליישר המודד שיתוק ותפיסה 10, והתנהגות optomotor 11 שרושמת הפסד של תיאום התנועה. ב assay APS, הפרעה הראשון ניתן זבובים אקראי לעצור בכניסה של החדר מואר בלי לזוז קדימה. זה הופך יותר בעיה אם הזדקנות היא אחד התנאים למד, מאז זבובים ישנים הם פחות פעילים בכלל נוטים לעצור ולנוח במשך תקופות זמן ארוכות. במקרה זה הניסוי יש לספק גירויים מכניים כדי לקדם את התנועה, אשר לא תמיד יעילה. שנית, אפשר לטעון כי הכישלון להגיע לתוצאות חדר מואר מהפסד של phototaxis חיובית. זהו מקרה נדיר, שכן מחקרים קודמים הראו כי זבובים ולשוב היענות אור פעם השלילי לחזק מוסר 4. שלישית, את משך המגע עם הגירוי מרתיעה עשוי להשתנות ממשפט למשפט. וריאציה זו יכולה בדרך כלל להיות מופחת על ידי המקיפה את הקיר הפנימי של החדר בנייר מסנן הספוג למנוע זבובים הימנעות כינין. בנוסף, הניסוי יכול להבטיח כי כל זבוב מבלים מספיק זמן במגע עם נייר הסינון על ידי הגדלת כמות הזמן שבילה בחדר מהרגע 1 צוין אחרת. לסיכום, geotaxis שלילי APS מבחני דרכים מהירה ופשוטה של הערכת הגירעונות התנהגותיות כמותית מצביעים של תנועה ולמידה ויכולות הזיכרון תסיסנית. מבחני אלה שימושיים במיוחד דוגמנות תנאים ניווניות האדם תסיסנית.

<table border="1" style=";text-align:right;direction:rtl"><tbody><tr><th> חומרים </th><th> חברה </th><th> מספר קטלוגי </th><th> הערה </th></tr><tr><td> פוליסטירן Vial </td><td> Vial הקפיטול, Inc </td><td> 28Fly </td><td> 28.5 x 95 מ&quot;מ פוליסטירן Vial: איכות חומר חשוב, רע אם חלקלק מדי זבובים לטפס. </td></tr><tr><td> הביתור Stereoscope </td><td> Zeiss </td><td> 000000-1432-979 </td><td> 2 סניפים אווז הצוואר אור מדריך (12V/30W) </td></tr><tr><td> כינין הידרוכלוריד </td><td> סיגמא אולדריץ </td><td> 6119-47-7 </td><td> ממיסים במים מזוקקים. </td></tr><tr><td> נתק מחברים מהירים </td><td> Nalgene (VWR) </td><td> 62868-021 </td><td> פוליאתילן בצפיפות גבוהה </td></tr><tr><td> T-Maze </td><td> מערכות ההתנהגות Simple </td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td> Single-ערוץ 200 μL פיפטה </td><td> Eppendorf </td><td> 022443305 </td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

assaying locomotor, learning, and memory deficits in drosophila models of neurodegeneration

התקדמות בשיטות גנטיות אפשרו חקר גנים המעורבים במחלות ניווניות אנושי באמצעות תסיסנית כמערכת מודל 1. רוב מחלות אלו, כולל אלצהיימר, פרקינסון מחלת הנטינגטון מאופיינים הידרדרות גיל תלוי בפונקציות למידה וזיכרון וקואורדינציה תנועה 2. כאן אנו משתמשים מבחני התנהגות, כולל assay geotaxis שלילית 3 ו assay דיכוי phototaxic מרתיעה (assay APS) 4,5, כדי להראות כמה מן המאפיינים התנהגות הקשורים ניוון מוחיים האדם ניתן לחזור בדיוק זבובים. ב assay geotaxis שלילי, הנטייה הטבעית של זבובים לנוע כנגד כוח הכבידה כאשר נסער מנוצל ללימוד גנים או מצבים שעלולים לעכב יכולות של תנועה. ב assay APS, פונקציות למידה וזיכרון נבדקים phototactic-חיובי זבובים מאומן לקשר אור עם טעם מריר מרתיעה ומכאן הנטייה הטבעית להימנע אחרת לעבור אל האור. בדיקות אלה הכשרה זבובים 6 שעות שלאחר האימון משמש כדי להעריך את תפקודי הזיכרון. באמצעות מבחני אלה, תרומתו של כל גורמים גנטיים או סביבתיים לקראת ניוון מוחיים בפיתוח ניתן ללמוד בקלות זבובים.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Assaying Locomotor, Learning, and Memory Deficits in Drosophila Models of Neurodegeneration at JoVE.com

Assaying Locomotor, Learning, and Memory Deficits in Drosophila Models of Neurodegeneration

מבחני התנהגות למדידת פונקציות של תנועה, למידה, ויכולות הזיכרון<em&gt; תסיסנית</em&gt;.

Assaying של תנועה, למידה, וזיכרון גירעונות תסיסנית מודלים של ניוון מוחיים

Advances in genetic methods have enabled the study of genes involved in human neurodegenerative diseases using Drosophila as a model system1. Most of ...

assaying-locomotor-learning-memory-deficits-drosophila-models

Universidad San Sebastian

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

Assaying Locomotor, Learning, and Memory Deficits in Drosophila Models of Neurodegeneration

33.4K Views.  University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. מבחני התנהגות למדידת פונקציות של תנועה, למידה, ויכולות הזיכרון תסיסנית.

Video: Assaying Locomotor, Learning, and Memory Deficits in Drosophila Models of Neurodegeneration

Assaying Locomotor Activity to Study Circadian Rhythms and Sleep Parameters in Drosophila

Most life forms exhibit daily rhythms in cellular, physiological and behavioral phenomena that are driven by endogenous circadian (&equiv;24 hr) pacemakers or clocks. Malfunctions in the human circadian system are associated with numerous diseases or disorders. Much progress towards our understanding of the mechanisms underlying circadian rhythms has emerged from genetic screens whereby an easily measured behavioral rhythm is used as a read-out of clock function. Studies using Drosophila have made seminal contributions to our understanding of the cellular and biochemical bases underlying circadian rhythms. The standard circadian behavioral read-out measured in Drosophila is locomotor activity. In general, the monitoring system involves specially designed devices that can measure the locomotor movement of Drosophila. These devices are housed in environmentally controlled incubators located in a darkroom and are based on using the interruption of a beam of infrared light to record the locomotor activity of individual flies contained inside small tubes. When measured over many days, Drosophila exhibit daily cycles of activity and inactivity, a behavioral rhythm that is governed by the animal's endogenous circadian system. The overall procedure has been simplified with the advent of commercially available locomotor activity monitoring devices and the development of software programs for data analysis. We use the system from Trikinetics Inc., which is the procedure described here and is currently the most popular system used worldwide. More recently, the same monitoring devices have been used to study sleep behavior in Drosophila. Because the daily wake-sleep cycles of many flies can be measured simultaneously and only 1 to 2 weeks worth of continuous locomotor activity data is usually sufficient, this system is ideal for large-scale screens to identify Drosophila manifesting altered circadian or sleep properties.

Assaying Locomotor Activity to Study Circadian Rhythms and Sleep Parameters in Drosophila

We describe procedures for recording daily locomotor activity rhythms of Drosophila and subsequent data analysis. Locomotor activity rhythms are a reliable behavioral output of animal circadian clocks and are used as the standard readout of clock function when studying circadian mutants or examining how the environment regulates the circadian system.

Assaying פעילות של תנועה כדי ללמוד בקצב היממה ושינה פרמטרים תסיסנית</em

Most life forms exhibit daily rhythms in cellular, physiological and behavioral phenomena that are driven by endogenous circadian (&equiv;24 hr) ...

In vivo Laser Axotomy in C. elegans

Neurons communicate with other cells via axons and dendrites, slender membrane extensions that contain pre- or post-synaptic specializations. If a neuron is damaged by injury or disease, it may regenerate. Cell-intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence the ability of a neuron to regenerate and restore function. Recently, the nematode C. elegans has emerged as an excellent model organism to identify genes and signaling pathways that influence the regeneration of neurons1-6. The main way to initiate neuronal regeneration in C. elegans is laser-mediated cutting, or axotomy. During axotomy, a fluorescently-labeled neuronal process is severed using high-energy pulses. Initially, neuronal regeneration in C. elegans was examined using an amplified femtosecond laser5. However, subsequent regeneration studies have shown that a conventional pulsed laser can be used to accurately sever neurons in vivo and elicit a similar regenerative response1,3,7.
We present a protocol for performing in vivo laser axotomy in the worm using a MicroPoint pulsed laser, a turnkey system that is readily available and that has been widely used for targeted cell ablation. We describe aligning the laser, mounting the worms, cutting specific neurons, and assessing subsequent regeneration. The system provides the ability to cut large numbers of neurons in multiple worms during one experiment. Thus, laser axotomy as described herein is an efficient system for initiating and analyzing the process of regeneration.

In vivo Laser Axotomy in C. elegans

A protocol to cut neurons in C. elegans with a MicroPoint pulsed laser is presented. We describe setting up the system, immobilizing worms, and severing labeled neurons. Advantages include a relatively low-cost system and the ability to sever neuronal processes or ablate cells in vivo.

בשנת vivo לייזר Axotomy ב C. elegans

Neurons communicate with other cells via axons and dendrites, slender membrane extensions that contain pre- or post-synaptic specializations. If a neuron ...

Morris Water Maze Test for Learning and Memory Deficits in Alzheimer&#39;s Disease Model Mice

The Morris Water Maze (MWM) was first established by neuroscientist Richard G. Morris in 1981 in order to test hippocampal-dependent learning, including acquisition of spatial memoryand long-term spatial memory 1. The MWM is a relatively simple procedure typically consisting of six day trials, the main advantage being the differentiation between the spatial (hidden-platform) and non-spatial (visible platform) conditions 2-4. In addition, the MWM testing environment reduces odor trail interference 5. This has led the task to be used extensively in the study of the neurobiology and neuropharmacology of spatial learning and memory. The MWM plays an important role in the validation of rodent models for neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer&#x2019;s Disease 6, 7. In this protocol we discussed the typical procedure of MWM for testing learning and memory and data analysis commonly used in Alzheimer&#x2019;s disease transgenic model mice.

Morris Water Maze Test for Learning and Memory Deficits in Alzheimer&#039;s Disease Model Mice

The Morris Water Maze is a behavioral task to test hippocampal-dependent learning and memory. It has been widely used in the study of neurobiology, neuropharmacology and neurocognitive disorders in rodent models.

מוריס מבוך המים מבחן גירעונות למידה וזיכרון במודל של מחלת אלצהיימר עכברים

The Morris Water Maze (MWM) was first established by neuroscientist Richard G. Morris in 1981 in order to test hippocampal-dependent learning, including ...

Optical Recording of Suprathreshold Neural Activity with Single-cell and Single-spike Resolution

Signaling of information in the vertebrate central nervous system is often carried by populations of neurons rather than individual neurons. Also propagation of suprathreshold spiking activity involves populations of neurons. Empirical studies addressing cortical function directly thus require recordings from populations of neurons with high resolution. Here we describe an optical method and a deconvolution algorithm to record neural activity from up to 100 neurons with single-cell and single-spike resolution. This method relies on detection of the transient increases in intracellular somatic calcium concentration associated with suprathreshold electrical spikes (action potentials) in cortical neurons. High temporal resolution of the optical recordings is achieved by a fast random-access scanning technique using acousto-optical deflectors (AODs)1. Two-photon excitation of the calcium-sensitive dye results in high spatial resolution in opaque brain tissue2. Reconstruction of spikes from the fluorescence calcium recordings is achieved by a maximum-likelihood method. Simultaneous electrophysiological and optical recordings indicate that our method reliably detects spikes (&gt;97% spike detection efficiency), has a low rate of false positive spike detection (&lt; 0.003 spikes/sec), and a high temporal precision (about 3 msec) 3. This optical method of spike detection can be used to record neural activity in vitro and in anesthetized animals in vivo3,4.

Understanding the function of the vertebrate central nervous system requires recordings from many neurons because cortical function arises on the level of populations of neurons. Here we describe an optical method to record suprathreshold neural activity with single-cell and single-spike resolution, dithered random-access scanning. This method records somatic fluorescence calcium signals from up to 100 neurons with high temporal resolution. A maximum-likelihood algorithm deconvolves the underlying suprathreshold neural activity from the somatic fluorescence calcium signals. This method reliably detects spikes with high detection efficiency and a low rate of false positives and can be used to study neural populations in vitro and in vivo.

הקלטה אופטית של פעילות עצבית suprathreshold עם רזולוצית תא בודד ויחיד ספייק

Signaling of information in the vertebrate central nervous system is often carried by populations of neurons rather than individual neurons. Also ...

Appetitive Associative Olfactory Learning in Drosophila Larvae

In the following we describe the methodological details of appetitive associative olfactory learning in Drosophila larvae. The setup, in combination with genetic interference, provides a handle to analyze the neuronal and molecular fundamentals of specifically associative learning in a simple larval brain.
Organisms can use past experience to adjust present behavior. Such acquisition of behavioral potential can be defined as learning, and the physical bases of these potentials as memory traces1-4. Neuroscientists try to understand how these processes are organized in terms of molecular and neuronal changes in the brain by using a variety of methods in model organisms ranging from insects to vertebrates5,6. For such endeavors it is helpful to use model systems that are simple and experimentally accessible. The Drosophila larva has turned out to satisfy these demands based on the availability of robust behavioral assays, the existence of a variety of transgenic techniques and the elementary organization of the nervous system comprising only about 10,000 neurons (albeit with some concessions: cognitive limitations, few behavioral options, and richness of experience questionable)7-10.
Drosophila larvae can form associations between odors and appetitive gustatory reinforcement like sugar11-14. In a standard assay, established in the lab of B. Gerber, animals receive a two-odor reciprocal training: A first group of larvae is exposed to an odor A together with a gustatory reinforcer (sugar reward) and is subsequently exposed to an odor B without reinforcement 9. Meanwhile a second group of larvae receives reciprocal training while experiencing odor A without reinforcement and subsequently being exposed to odor B with reinforcement (sugar reward). In the following both groups are tested for their preference between the two odors. Relatively higher preferences for the rewarded odor reflect associative learning - presented as a performance index (PI). The conclusion regarding the associative nature of the performance index is compelling, because apart from the contingency between odors and tastants, other parameters, such as odor and reward exposure, passage of time and handling do not differ between the two groups9.

Appetitive Associative Olfactory Learning in Drosophila Larvae

Drosophila larvae are able to associate odor stimuli with gustatory reward. Here we describe a simple behavioral paradigm that allows the analysis of appetitive associative olfactory learning.

למידה אסוציאטיבית הרחה באפטטיבית<em&gt; דרוזופילה</em&gt; זחלים

In the following we describe the methodological  details of appetitive associative olfactory learning in Drosophila larvae. The setup, in combination with ...

Drosophila Adult Olfactory Shock Learning

Drosophila have been used in classical conditioning experiments for over 40 years, thus greatly facilitating our understanding of memory, including the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms involved in cognitive diseases1-7. Learning and memory can be assayed in larvae to study the effect of neurodevelopmental genes8-10 and in flies to measure the contribution of adult plasticity genes1-7. Furthermore, the short lifespan of Drosophila facilitates the analysis of genes mediating age-related memory impairment5,11-13. The availability of many inducible promoters that subdivide the Drosophila nervous system makes it possible to determine when and where a gene of interest is required for normal memory as well as relay of different aspects of the reinforcement signal3,4,14,16.
Studying memory in adult Drosophila allows for a detailed analysis of the behavior and circuitry involved and a measurement of long-term memory15-17. The length of the adult stage accommodates longer-term genetic, behavioral, dietary and pharmacological manipulations of memory, in addition to determining the effect of aging and neurodegenerative disease on memory3-6,11-13,15-21.
Classical conditioning is induced by the simultaneous presentation of a neutral odor cue (conditioned stimulus, CS+) and a reinforcement stimulus, e.g., an electric shock or sucrose, (unconditioned stimulus, US), that become associated with one another by the animal1,16. A second conditioned stimulus (CS-) is subsequently presented without the US. During the testing phase, Drosophila are simultaneously presented with CS+ and CS- odors. After the Drosophila are provided time to choose between the odors, the distribution of the animals is recorded. This procedure allows associative aversive or appetitive conditioning to be reliably measured without a bias introduced by the innate preference for either of the conditioned stimuli. Various control experiments are also performed to test whether all genotypes respond normally to odor and reinforcement alone.

Drosophila Adult Olfactory Shock Learning

The method to measure adult Drosophila associative memory is described. The assay is based on the ability of the fly to associate an odor presented with a negative reinforcer (electric shock) and then recall this information at a later time, allowing memory to be measured.

דרוזופילה מבוגרים חוש הריח הלם למידה

Drosophila have been used in classical conditioning experiments for over 40 years, thus greatly facilitating our understanding of memory, including the ...

Determination of the Spontaneous Locomotor Activity in Drosophila melanogaster

Drosophila melanogaster has been used as an excellent model organism to study environmental and genetic manipulations that affect behavior. One such behavior is spontaneous locomotor activity. Here we describe our protocol that utilizes Drosophila population monitors and a tracking system that allows continuous monitoring of the spontaneous locomotor activity of flies for several days at a time. This method is simple, reliable, and objective and can be used to examine the effects of aging, sex, changes in caloric content of food, addition of drugs, or genetic manipulations that mimic human diseases.

Determination of the Spontaneous Locomotor Activity in Drosophila melanogaster

Drosophila melanogaster are useful in studying genetic or environmental manipulations that affect behaviors such as spontaneous locomotor activity.&#160; Here we describe a protocol that utilizes monitors with infrared beams and data analysis software to quantify spontaneous locomotor activity.&#160;

קביעת הפעילות של תנועה הספונטנית ב<em&gt; Melanogaster דרוזופילה</em

Drosophila melanogaster has been used as an excellent model organism to study environmental and genetic manipulations that affect behavior. One such ...

In vivo Optogenetic Stimulation of the Rodent Central Nervous System

The ability to probe defined neural circuits in awake, freely-moving animals with cell-type specificity, spatial precision, and high temporal resolution has been a long sought tool for neuroscientists in the systems-level search for the neural circuitry governing complex behavioral states. Optogenetics is a cutting-edge tool that is revolutionizing the field of neuroscience and represents one of the first systematic approaches to enable causal testing regarding the relation between neural signaling events and behavior. By combining optical and genetic approaches, neural signaling can be bi-directionally controlled through expression of light-sensitive ion channels (opsins) in mammalian cells. The current protocol describes delivery of specific wavelengths of light to opsin-expressing cells in deep brain structures of awake, freely-moving rodents for neural circuit modulation. Theoretical principles of light transmission as an experimental consideration are discussed in the context of performing in vivo optogenetic stimulation. The protocol details the design and construction of both simple and complex laser configurations and describes tethering strategies to permit simultaneous stimulation of multiple animals for high-throughput behavioral testing.

In vivo Optogenetic Stimulation of the Rodent Central Nervous System

Optogenetics has become a powerful tool for use in behavioral neuroscience experiments. This protocol offers a step-by-step guide to the design and set-up of laser systems, and provides a full protocol for carrying out multiple and simultaneous in vivo optogenetic stimulations compatible with most rodent behavioral testing paradigms.

בoptogenetic גירוי vivo של מערכת העצבים המרכזית מכרסם

The ability to probe defined neural circuits in awake, freely-moving animals with cell-type specificity, spatial precision, and high temporal resolution ...

Mass Histology to Quantify Neurodegeneration in Drosophila

Progressive neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer&#39;s disease (AD) or Parkinson&#39;s disease (PD) are an increasing threat to human health worldwide. Although mammalian models have provided important insights into the underlying mechanisms of pathogenicity, the complexity of mammalian systems together with their high costs are limiting their use. Therefore, the simple but well-established Drosophila model-system&#160;provides an alternative for investigating the molecular pathways that are affected in these diseases. Besides behavioral deficits, neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by histological phenotypes such as neuronal death and axonopathy. To quantify neuronal degeneration and to determine how it is affected by genetic and environmental factors, we use a histological approach that is based on measuring the vacuoles in adult fly brains. To minimize the effects of systematic error and to directly compare sections from control and experimental flies in one preparation, we use the &#39;collar&#39; method for paraffin sections. Neurodegeneration is then assessed by measuring the size and/or number of vacuoles that have developed in the fly brain. This can either be done by focusing on a specific region of interest or by analyzing the entire brain by obtaining serial sections that span the complete head. Therefore, this method allows one to measure not only severe degeneration but also relatively mild phenotypes that are only detectable in a few sections, as occurs during normal aging.

Mass Histology to Quantify Neurodegeneration in Drosophila

Drosophila is widely used as a model system to study neurodegeneration. This protocol describes a method by which degeneration, as determined by vacuole formation in the brain, can be quantified. It also minimizes effects due to the experimental procedure by processing and sectioning control and experimental flies as one sample.

Mass היסטולוגיה לכמת מוחיים ב<em&gt; תסיסנית</em

Progressive neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer&#39;s disease (AD) or Parkinson&#39;s disease (PD) are an increasing threat to human health ...

Assessing Spatial Learning and Memory in Small Squamate Reptiles

Clinical research has leveraged a variety of paradigms to assess cognitive decline, commonly targeting spatial learning and memory abilities. However, interest in the cognitive processes of nonmodel species, typically within an ecological context, has also become an emerging field of study. In particular, interest in the cognitive processes in reptiles is growing although experimental studies on reptilian cognition are sparse. The few reptilian studies that have experimentally tested for spatial learning and memory have used rodent paradigms modified for use in reptiles. However, ecologically important aspects of the physiology and behavior of this taxonomic group must be taken into account when testing for spatially based cognition. Here, we describe modifications of the dry land Barnes maze and associated testing protocol that can improve performance when probing for spatial learning and memory ability in small squamate reptiles. The described paradigm and procedures were successfully used with male side-blotched lizards (Uta stansburiana), demonstrating that spatial learning and memory can be assessed in this taxonomic group with an ecologically relevant apparatus and protocol.

This paper describes a modification of the Barnes maze, a standard rodent paradigm used to assess spatial memory and learning, for use in small squamate reptiles.

הערכת למידה וזיכרון המרחבי קטן קַשׂקַשִׂי זוחל

Clinical research has leveraged a variety of paradigms to assess cognitive decline, commonly targeting spatial learning and memory abilities. However, ...