Name: microdialysis of excitatory amino acids during eeg recordings in freely moving rats
Uploaded: 2018-11-08T13:30:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Microdialysis of Excitatory Amino Acids During EEG Recordings in Freely Moving Rats at JoVE.com

The authors wish to thank Anna Binaschi, Paolo Roncon and Eleonora Palma for their contribution to manuscripts published in precedence.

All experimental procedures have been approved by the University of Ferrara Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and by the Italian Ministry of Health (authorization: D.M. 246/2012-B) in accordance with guidelines outlined in the European Communities Council Directive of 24 November 1986 (86/609/EEC). This protocol is specifically adjusted for glutamate and aspartate determination in rat brain dialysates obtained under EEG control of microdialysis sessions in epileptic and non-epileptic rats. Many of the materials...

In this work, we show how a continuous video-EEG recording coupled with microdialysis can be performed in an experimental model of TLE. Video-EEG recording techniques are used to correctly diagnose the different phases of the disease progression in animals and the microdialysis technique is used to describe the changes in glutamate release that occur in time (no changes have been found for aspartate in a previously published study2). We strongly recommend the use of a single device/implant to perf...

To provide insight into the functional impairment of glutamate-mediated excitatory and GABAergic inhibitory neurotransmission resulting in spontaneous seizures in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE),we systematically monitored extracellular concentrations of GABA1 and later the levels of glutamate and aspartate2 by microdialysis in the ventral hippocampus of rats at various time-points of the disease natural course, i.e., during development and progression of epilepsy. We took advantage of the TLE pilocarpine model in rats, which mimics the disease very accurately in terms of behavioral, electrophysiological and histopathological changes3,4 and we correlated the dialysate concentration of amino acids to its different phases: the acute phase after the epileptogenic insult, the latency phase, the time of the first spontaneous seizure and the chronic phass5,6,7. Framing the disease phases was enabled by long-term video-EEG monitoring and the precise EEG and clinical characterization of spontaneous seizures. Application of the microdialysis technique associated with long-term video-EEG monitoring allowed us to propose mechanistic hypotheses for TLE neuropathology. In summary, the technique described in this manuscript allows the pairing of neurochemical alterations within a defined brain area with the development and progression of epilepsy in an animal model.
Paired devices, made up of a depth electrode juxtaposed to a microdialysis cannula, are often employed in epilepsy research studies where changes in neurotransmitters, their metabolites, or energy substrates should be correlated to neuronal activity.In the vast majority of cases, it is used in freely behaving animals, but it can be also conducted in a similar way in human beings, e.g., in pharmaco-resistant epileptic patients undergoing depth electrode investigation prior to surgery8. Both EEG recording, and dialysate collection may be performed separately (e.g., implanting the electrode in one hemisphere and the microdialysis probe in the other hemisphere or even performing the microdialysis in one group of animals while performing the sole EEG in another group of animals). However, coupling the electrodes to probes may have multiple advantages: it simplifies stereotaxic surgery, limits tissue damage to only one hemisphere (while leaving the other, intact, as a control for histological studies), and homogenizes the results as these are obtained from the same brain region and the same animal.
On the other hand, the preparation of the coupled microdialysis probe-electrode device requires skills and time if it is home-made. One could spend relatively high amounts of money if purchased from the market. Moreover, when microdialysis probes (probe tips are typically 200-400 &#181;m in diameter and 7-12 mm long)9, and EEG electrodes (electrode tips are usually of 300-500 &#181;m in diameter, and long enough to reach the brain structure of interest10) are coupled, the mounted device represents a bulky and relatively heavy object on one side of the head, which is troublesome for animals and prone to be lost especially when it is connected to the dialysis pump and the hard-wire EEG recording system. This aspect is more relevant in epileptic animals that are difficult to handle and less adaptive to the microdialysis sessions. Proper surgical techniques and appropriate post-operative care can result in long-lasting implants that cause minimal animal discomfort and should be pursued for combinatory microdialysis-EEG experiments10,11,12.
The advantages and limitations of the microdialysis technique have been reviewed in detail by many neuroscientists. Its primary advantage over other in vivo perfusion techniques (e.g., fast flow push-pull or cortical cup perfusion) is a small diameter of the probe which covers a relatively precise area of interest13,14,15. Second, the microdialysis membrane creates a physical barrier between the tissue and the perfusate; therefore, high-molecular weight substances do not cross and do not interfere with the analysis16,17. Moreover, the tissue is protected from the turbulent flow of the perfusate18. Another important advantage is the possibility to modify the perfusate flow for maximizing the analyte concentration in the perfusate (i.e., the process of microdialysis can be well defined mathematically and can be modified to yield high concentrations of the analyte in the sample)19. Finally, the technique may be used to infuse the drugs or pharmacologically active substances into the tissue of interest and to determine their effect at the site of intervention20. On the other hand, microdialysis has a limited resolution time (typically more than 1 min due to the time needed for collecting samples) in comparison to electrochemical or biological sensors; it is an invasive technique that causes tissue damage; it compromises the neurochemical balance within the space around the membrane due to the continuous concentration gradient of all soluble substances which enters the perfusate together with the analyte of interest. Finally, the microdialysis technique is highly influenced by the limits of the analytical techniques employed for the quantification of substances in the perfusate9,21,22,23. The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after derivatization with orthophthaldialdehyde for glutamate and aspartate analysis in biological samples has been well validated24,25,26,27 and its extensive discussion is out of the scope of this manuscript, but the data produced by using this method will be described in detail.
When performed properly and without modifications of the perfusate composition, microdialysis can provide reliable information about the basal levels of neurotransmitter release. The largest portion of the basal levels is likely the result of the transmitter spillover from the synapses9. Because in many instances the simple sampling of the neurotransmitter in the extra synaptic space is not sufficient to pursue the goals of an investigation, the microdialysis technique can be also employed to stimulate neurons or to deprive them of important physiological ions such as K+ or Ca2+, in order to evoke or prevent the release of the neurotransmitter.
High K+ stimulation is often used in neurobiology to stimulate neuronal activity not only in awake animals but also in primary and organotypic cultures. The exposure of a healthy central nervous system to solutions with high concentrations of K+ (40-100 mM) evokes the efflux of neurotransmitters28. This ability of neurons to provide an additional release in response to high K+ may be compromised in epileptic animals1 and in other neurodegenerative diseases29,30. Similarly, the Ca2+ deprivation (obtained by perfusing Ca2+ free solutions) is used to establish calcium-dependent release of most neurotransmitters measured by microdialysis. It is generally believed that Ca2+ dependent release is of neuronal origin, whereas Ca2+ independent release originates from glia, but many studies raised controversy over the meaning of Ca2+-sensitive measurements of e.g. glutamate or GABA9: thus, if possible, it is advisable to support microdialysis studies with microsensor studies, as these latter have higher spatial resolution and the electrodes allows to get closer to synapses31.
Regarding microdialysis studies in epileptic animals, it is important to stress that the data obtained from most of them rely upon video or video-EEG monitoring of seizures, i.e., of the transient occurrence of signs and/or symptoms due to abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain32. There are some specifics of electrographic seizures in pilocarpine treated animals which should be considered when preparing the experiment. Spontaneous seizures are followed by depressed activity with frequent EEG interictal spikes3 and occur in clusters33,34. Sham operated non-epileptic animals may exhibit seizure-like activity35 and therefore the parameters for EEG recordings evaluation should be standardized36 and, if possible, the timing of microdialysis sessions should be well defined. Finally, we highly recommend following the principles and methodological standards for video-EEG monitoring in control adult rodents outlined by experts of International League Against Epilepsy and American Epilepsy Society in their very recent reports37,38.
Here, we describe microdialysis of glutamate and aspartate in parallel with the long-term video-EEG recordings in epileptic animals and their analysis in the dialysate by HPLC. We will emphasize the critical steps of the protocol that one should take care of for best result.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>3-channel two-twisted electrode</td>
			<td>Invivo1, Plastic One, Roanoke, Virginia, USA</td>
			<td>MS333/3-B/SPC</td>
			<td>Material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>guide cannula</td>
			<td>Agn Tho&#39;s, Lindig&#246;, Sweden</td>
			<td>MAB 4.15.IC</td>
			<td>Material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Resin KK2 Plastik</td>
			<td>Elettra Sport, Lecco, Italy</td>
			<td>KK2</td>
			<td>Material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Super Attack gel Loctite</td>
			<td>Henkel Italia Srl, Milano, Italy</td>
			<td>2047420_71941</td>
			<td>Material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Imalgene-Ketamine</td>
			<td>Merial, Toulouse, France</td>
			<td>221300288 (AIC)</td>
			<td>Solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Xylazine</td>
			<td>Sigma, Milano, Italy</td>
			<td>X1251</td>
			<td>Material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Isoflurane-Vet</td>
			<td>Merial, Toulouse, France</td>
			<td>103120022 (AIC)</td>
			<td>Solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Altadol 50 mg/ ml - tramadol</td>
			<td>Formevet, Milano, Italy</td>
			<td>103703017 (AIC)</td>
			<td>Solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gentalyn 0.1% crm - gentamycine</td>
			<td>MSD Italia, Roma, Italy</td>
			<td>20891077 (AIC)</td>
			<td>Material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>simplex rapid dental cement</td>
			<td>Kemdent, Associated Dental Products Ltd, Swindon, United Kingdom</td>
			<td>ACR811</td>
			<td>Material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GlasIonomer CX-Plus Cement</td>
			<td>Shofu, Kyoto, Japan</td>
			<td>PN1167</td>
			<td>Material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>probe clip holder</td>
			<td>Agn Tho&#39;s, Lindig&#246;, Sweden</td>
			<td>p/n 100 5001</td>
			<td>Equipment</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Histoacryl&#174; Blue Topical Skin Adhesive</td>
			<td>TissueSeal, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA</td>
			<td>TS1050044FP</td>
			<td>Material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Valium 10 mg/2 ml - diazepam</td>
			<td>Roche, Monza, Italy</td>
			<td>019995063 (AIC)</td>
			<td>Material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1 mL syringe with 25G needle</td>
			<td>Vetrotecnica, Padova, Italy</td>
			<td>11.3500.05</td>
			<td>Material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>rat flexible feeding needle 17G</td>
			<td>Agn Tho&#39;s, Lindig&#246; Sweden</td>
			<td>7206</td>
			<td>Material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Grass Technology apparatus</td>
			<td>Grass Technologies, Natus Neurology Incorporated, Pleasanton, California, USA</td>
			<td>M665G08</td>
			<td>Equipment (AS40 amplifier, head box, interconnecting cables, telefactor model RPSA S40)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>modular data acquisition and&#160;analysis system MP150</td>
			<td>Biopac, Goleta, California, USA</td>
			<td>MP150WSW</td>
			<td>Equipment</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>digital video surveillance system</td>
			<td>AverMedia Technologies, Fremont, California, USA</td>
			<td>V4.7.0041FD</td>
			<td>Equipment</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>microdialysis probe</td>
			<td>Agn Tho&#39;s, Lindig&#246; Sweden</td>
			<td>MAB 4.15.1.Cu</td>
			<td>Material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>microdialysis probe</td>
			<td>Synaptech, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA</td>
			<td>S-8010</td>
			<td>Material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>block heater</td>
			<td>Grant Instruments, Cambridge, England</td>
			<td>QBD2</td>
			<td>Equipment</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>stirrer</td>
			<td>Cecchinato A, Aparecchi Scientifici, Mestre, Italy</td>
			<td>711</td>
			<td>Equipment</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>infusion pump</td>
			<td>Univentor, Zejtun, Malta</td>
			<td>864</td>
			<td>Equipment</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>fine bore polythene tubing</td>
			<td>Smiths Medical International Ltd., Keene, New Hampshire, USA</td>
			<td>800/100/100/100</td>
			<td>Material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>blue tubing adapters</td>
			<td>Agn Tho&#39;s, Lindig&#246; Sweden</td>
			<td>1002</td>
			<td>Material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>red tubing adapters</td>
			<td>Agn Tho&#39;s, Lindig&#246; Sweden</td>
			<td>1003</td>
			<td>Material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>2.5 mL syringe with 22G needle</td>
			<td>Chemil, Padova, Italy</td>
			<td>S02G22</td>
			<td>Material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>vial cap</td>
			<td>Cronus, Labicom, Olomouc, Czech Republic</td>
			<td>VCA-1004TB-100</td>
			<td>Material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>septum</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific, Rockwoood, Tennessee, USA</td>
			<td>National C4013-60 8 mm TEF/SIL septum</td>
			<td>Material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>glass insert with bottom spring</td>
			<td>Supelco, Sigma, Milano, Italy</td>
			<td>27400-U</td>
			<td>Material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>autosampler vial</td>
			<td>National Scientific, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Monza, Italy</td>
			<td>C4013-2</td>
			<td>Material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Smartline manager 5000 system controller and degasser unit</td>
			<td>Knauer, Berlin, Germany</td>
			<td>V7602</td>
			<td>Equipment</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Smartline 1000 quaternary gradient pump</td>
			<td>Knauer, Berlin, Germany</td>
			<td>V7603</td>
			<td>Equipment</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>spectrofluorometric detector</td>
			<td>Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan</td>
			<td>RF-551</td>
			<td>Equipment</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>chromatogrphic column</td>
			<td>Knauer, Berlin, Germany</td>
			<td>25EK181EBJ</td>
			<td>Material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>chromatogrphic pre-column</td>
			<td>Knauer, Berlin, Germany</td>
			<td>P5DK181EBJ</td>
			<td>Material</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>mobile phase solution A</td>
			<td>0.1 M sodium phosphate buffer, pH 6.0</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>mobile phase solution B</td>
			<td>40% 0.1 M sodium phosphate buffer, 30% methanol, 30% acetonitrile, pH 6.5</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ringer solution</td>
			<td>composition in mM: MgCl2 0.85, KCl 2.7, NaCl 148, CaCl2 1.2, 0.3% BSA</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>modified Ringer solution</td>
			<td>composition in mM: MgCl2 0.85, KCl 100, NaCl 50.7, CaCl2 1.2, 0.3% BSA</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>saline</td>
			<td>0.9% NaCl, ph adjusted to 7.0</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>sucrose solution</td>
			<td>10% sucrose in distilled water</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Solution</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

microdialysis of excitatory amino acids during eeg recordings in freely moving rats

Microdialysis is a well-established neuroscience technique that correlates the changes of neurologically active substances diffusing into the brain interstitial space with the behavior and/or with the specific outcome of a pathology (e.g., seizures for epilepsy). When studying epilepsy, the microdialysis technique is often combined with short-term or even long-term video-electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring to assess spontaneous seizure frequency, severity, progression and clustering. The combined microdialysis-EEG is based on the use of several methods and instruments. Here, we performed in vivo microdialysis and continuous video-EEG recording to monitor glutamate and aspartate outflow over time, in different phases of the natural history of epilepsy in a rat model. This combined approach allows the pairing of changes in the neurotransmitter release with specific stages of the disease development and progression. The amino acid concentration in the dialysate was determined by liquid chromatography. Here, we describe the methods and outline the principal precautionary measures one should take during in vivo microdialysis-EEG, with particular attention to the stereotaxic surgery, basal and high potassium stimulation during microdialysis, depth electrode EEG recording and high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of aspartate and glutamate in the dialysate. This approach may be adapted to test a variety of drug or disease induced changes of the physiological concentrations of aspartate and glutamate in the brain. Depending on the availability of an appropriate analytical assay, it may be further used to test different soluble molecules when employing EEG recording at the same time.

Probe recovery
The mean recovery (i.e., the mean amino acid content in the perfusate as a percentage of the content in an equal volume of the vial solution) was 15.49 &#177; 0.42% at a flow rate of 2 &#956;L/min and 6.32 &#177; 0.64 at 3 &#956;L/min for glutamate and 14.89 &#177; 0.36% at a flow rate of 2 &#956;L/min and 10.13 &#177; 0.51 at 3 &#956;L/min for aspartate when using the cuprophane membrane probe. If using the...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Microdialysis of Excitatory Amino Acids During EEG Recordings in Freely Moving Rats at JoVE.com

Microdialysis of Excitatory Amino Acids During EEG Recordings in Freely Moving Rats

Here, we describe a method for in vivo microdialysis to analyze aspartate and glutamate release in the ventral hippocampus of epileptic and non-epileptic rats, in combination with EEG recordings. Extracellular concentrations of aspartate and glutamate may be correlated with the different phases of the disease.

Microdialysis is a well-established neuroscience technique that correlates the changes of neurologically active substances diffusing into the brain ...

This method can help answer key questions in the neurosciences such as the alterations in neurochemistry during the natural history of neurological diseases. The main advantage of proposed microdialysis EEG technique is that such combined approach allows the pairing of changes in the neurotransmitter release within specific stages of the disease development and progression. Begin by switching on the amplifier positioned outside of the Faraday Cage.Open the EEG software and start the EEG acquisition and observe the EEG signal produced by unconnected cables. Next, connect the animal to the tethered EEG recording system by holding the animal's head between two stretched fingers of one hand and screwing down the connectors to the electrode pedestal using the other free hand. Set an amplification factor on each channel of the amplifier according to the electrode signal of a single animal so the EEG signal is in scale.Then let the animal explore the new cage for at least one hour under the direct observation of the researcher. Adjust the cable according to the animal's commodity, and ensure that the cables do not interfere with the animal's movements and lying posture. Finally, check for the correct image framing on the video cameras and then start the video EEG recording.Begin by preparing the microdialysis probes for the first use according to the manufacturer user's guide and fill them with Ringer's Solution. Then, cut 10 centimeter long pieces of FEP Tubing and connect them to the inlet and outlet cannulas of the probe using the tubing adapters of different colors. Ensure that tubing touches the adapters with no dead space in all connections.Remove the dummy cannula from its guide using the tweezers by holding the animal's head firmly. Insert the microdialysis probe into the guide cannula and use modeling clay to further firm up the cannula. Next, connect the animal to the tethered EEG recording system.Then put the animal into the plexiglass cylinder and let it explore the new environment. Follow the awake and freely moving rat movements. Then, connect the inlet of the probe to the 2.5 milliliter syringe with a blunted 22 gauge needle containing Ringer's Solution using the tubing adapters.Push one milliliter of Ringer's Solution into the probe in 10 seconds by pushing the piston of the 2.5 milliliter syringe continuously. Check for the drop of the liquid appearing on the outlet to signify when the probe is ready for use. Finally, fill up the 2.5 milliliter syringes connected to FEP tubing by tubing adapters with Ringer's Solution and mount them onto the infusion pump.Start the pump at two microliters per minute and let it run overnight. After verifying via video EEG recordings the absence of seizures in the three hours preceding sample collection, stop the pump carrying the FEP tubing cannulated syringes filled up with Ringer's Solution. Mount another set of 2.5 milliliter syringes connected to FEP tubing with tubing adapters filled up with a modified Ringer's Solution containing 100 millimolar potassium solution.Start the pump at two microliters per minute and let it run. Check for the absence of air bubbles in the system and ensure that the tubing touches the adapters with no dead space in all connections. Then, check for the drop of the liquid appearing on the outlet to signify when the probe is ready for use.Next, connect the FEP tubing of syringes filled up with Ringer's Solution to the inlet cannula of the probe in each animal and wait for the appearance of the liquid drop on the tip of the outlet. Connect the outlet of the probe to the FEP tubing which leads to collection in the test tube. Insert the FEP tubing into the closed 0.2 milliliter test tube with a perforated cap and ensure that the tube stays in place by fixing it with a piece of modeling clay.After running the pump at two microliters per minute for 60 minutes without collecting samples to equilibrate the system, collect five consecutive 30 minute dialysate samples under baseline conditions, and store samples on ice. After 10 minutes, switch the tubing from the syringes containing 100 millimolar potassium Ringer's Solution to normal Ringer's Solution and let the pump run. After collection of the fifth post-equilibration dialysate, collect 20 microliter dialysate fractions every 10 minutes for one hour.Then collect three additional 30 minute dialysate samples and stop the pump. Lastly, store the samples at minus 80 degrees Celsius after the experiment until HPLC analysis. After the experiment is complete, rinse the used microdialysis probes with distilled water and store them in a vial filled with clean distilled water until next use.Finally, rinse the entire microdialysis setup with distilled water followed by 70 per cent ethanol. Replace ethanol with air, and store the setup in a sterile environment. These are the representative EEG traces recorded from the hippocampus of control and epileptic rats during the chronic phase of the disease.No EEG alteration was observed in control rats, whereas a synchronized paroxysmal epileptiform activity was observed about 500 milliseconds before and during the behavioral seizures in epileptic rats. Basal glutamate concentration found in chronic epileptic rats was significantly higher than in control animals. High potassium evoked an additional release of glutamate for about 30 minutes in control rats and for about 60 minutes in chronic epileptic rats.While attempting this procedure, it is important to remember that animals implanted with the device are prone to lose it over a course of prolonged experiment, so use a light head set and sufficiently long cables to avoid in interfering with animal mobility. Depending on the availability of an appropriate analytical essay, the method may be further used to test different soluble molecules in the brain when employing EEG recording at the same time. After its development, this technique allowed the researchers in the field of epileptology to provide an insight into the alterations in excitatory neurotransmission in the case of a temporal lobe epilepsy.After watching this video, we trust you will have a better understanding of how to perform in vivo microdialysis together with depth electrode EEG recording in a freely moving epileptic rat.

microdialysis-excitatory-amino-acids-during-eeg-recordings-freely

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

High-density EEG Recordings of the Freely Moving Mice using Polyimide-based Microelectrode

Electroencephalogram (EEG) indicates the averaged electrical activity of the neuronal populations on a large-scale level. It is widely utilized as a noninvasive brain monitoring tool in cognitive neuroscience as well as a diagnostic tool for epilepsy and sleep disorders in neurology. However, the underlying mechanism of EEG rhythm generation is still under the veil. Recently introduced polyimide-based microelectrode (PBM-array) for high resolution mouse EEG1 is one of the trials to answer the neurophysiological questions on EEG signals based on a rich genetic resource that the mouse model contains for the analysis of complex EEG generation process. This application of nanofabricated PBM-array to mouse skull is an efficient tool for collecting large-scale brain activity of transgenic mice and accommodates to identify the neural correlates to certain EEG rhythms in conjunction with behavior. However its ultra-thin thickness and bifurcated structure cause a trouble in handling and implantation of PBM-array. In the presented video, the preparation and surgery steps for the implantation of PBM-array on a mouse skull are described step by step. Handling and surgery tips to help researchers succeed in implantation are also provided.

In this article, we described the surgery procedure and handling tips for implantation of ultra-thin polyimide-based microelectrode array (PBM-array) on the mouse skull for acquisition of high-density encephalography (EEG) in a mouse model.

Electroencephalogram (EEG) indicates the averaged electrical activity of the neuronal populations on a large-scale level. It is widely utilized as a ...

Hippocampal Insulin Microinjection and In vivo Microdialysis During Spatial Memory Testing

Glucose metabolism is a useful marker for local neural activity, forming the basis of methods such as 2-deoxyglucose and functional magnetic resonance imaging. However, use of such methods in animal models requires anesthesia and hence both alters the brain state and prevents behavioral measures. An alternative method is the use of in vivo microdialysis to take continuous measurement of brain extracellular fluid concentrations of glucose, lactate, and related metabolites in awake, unrestrained animals. This technique is especially useful when combined with tasks designed to rely on specific brain regions and/or acute pharmacological manipulation; for example, hippocampal measurements during a spatial working memory task (spontaneous alternation) show a dip in extracellular glucose and rise in lactate that are suggestive of enhanced glycolysis1-3,4-5, and intrahippocampal insulin administration both improves memory and increases hippocampal glycolysis6. Substances such as insulin can be delivered to the hippocampus via the same microdialysis probe used to measure metabolites. The use of spontaneous alternation as a measure of hippocampal function is designed to avoid any confound from stressful motivators (e.g. footshock), restraint, or rewards (e.g. food), all of which can alter both task performance and metabolism; this task also provides a measure of motor activity that permits control for nonspecific effects of treatment. Combined, these methods permit direct measurement of the neurochemical and metabolic variables regulating behavior.

Hippocampal Insulin Microinjection and In vivo Microdialysis During Spatial Memory Testing

Modulation of hippocampally-dependent spatial working memory by direct intrahippocampal microinjection, accompanied and followed by in vivo microdialysis for metabolites in conscious, behaving animals.

Glucose metabolism is a useful marker for local neural activity, forming the basis of methods such as 2-deoxyglucose and functional magnetic resonance ...

Recording EEG in Freely Moving Neonatal Rats Using a Novel Method

EEG is a useful method to detect electrical activity in the brain. Moreover, it is a widely used diagnostic tool for various neurological conditions, such as epilepsy and neurodegenerative disorders. However, it is technically difficult to obtain EEG recordings in neonates as it requires specialized handling and great care. Here, we present a novel method to record EEG in neonatal rat pups (P8-P15). We designed a simple and reliable electrode using computer pin loci; it can be easily implanted into the skull of a rat pup to record high-quality EEG signals in the normal and epileptic brain. Pups were given an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of the neurotoxin kainic acid (KA) to induce epileptic seizures. The surgical implantation performed in this procedure is less expensive than other EEG procedures for neonates. This method allows one to record high-quality and stable EEG signals for more than 1 week. Furthermore, this procedure can also be applied to adult rats and mice to study epilepsy or other neurological disorders.

Here, we introduce a novel technique designed to record electroencephalography (EEG) in freely moving neonatal epileptic pups and describe its procedures, features, and applications. This method allows one to record EEG for more than 1 week.

EEG is a useful method to detect electrical activity in the brain. Moreover, it is a widely used diagnostic tool for various neurological conditions, such ...

Simultaneous Recordings of Cortical Local Field Potentials, Electrocardiogram, Electromyogram, and Breathing Rhythm from a Freely Moving Rat

Monitoring the physiological dynamics of the brain and peripheral tissues is necessary for addressing a number of questions about how the brain controls body functions and internal organ rhythms when animals are exposed to emotional challenges and changes in their living environments. In general experiments, signals from different organs, such as the brain and the heart, are recorded by independent recording systems that require multiple recording devices and different procedures for processing the data files. This study describes a new method that can simultaneously monitor electrical biosignals, including tens of local field potentials in multiple brain regions, electrocardiograms that represent the cardiac rhythm, electromyograms that represent awake/sleep-related muscle contraction, and breathing signals, in a freely moving rat. The recording configuration of this method is based on a conventional micro-drive array for cortical local field potential recordings in which tens of electrodes are accommodated, and the signals obtained from these electrodes are integrated into a single electrical board mounted on the animal's head. Here, this recording system was improved so that signals from the peripheral organs are also transferred to an electrical interface board. In a single surgery, electrodes are first separately implanted into the appropriate body parts and the target brain areas. The open ends of all of these electrodes are then soldered to individual channels of the electrical board above the animal's head so that all of the signals can be integrated into the single electrical board. Connecting this board to a recording device allows for the collection of all of the signals into a single device, which reduces experimental costs and simplifies data processing, because all data can be handled in the same data file. This technique will aid the understanding of the neurophysiological correlates of the associations between central and peripheral organs.

This study introduces a method for the simultaneous recording of local field potentials in the brain, electrocardiograms, electromyograms, and breathing signals of a freely moving rat. This technique, which reduces experimental costs and simplifies data analysis, will contribute to the understanding of the interactions between the brain and peripheral organs.

Monitoring the physiological dynamics of the brain and peripheral tissues is necessary for addressing a number of questions about how the brain controls ...

Noninvasive EEG Recordings from Freely Moving Piglets

The method allows the recording of high-quality electroencephalograms (EEGs) from freely moving piglets directly in the pigpen. We use a one-channel telemetric electroencephalography system in combination with standard self-adhesive hydrogel electrodes. The piglets are calmed down without the use of sedatives. After their release into the pigpen, the piglets behave normally&#8212;they drink and sleep in the same cycle as their siblings. Their sleep phases are used for the EEG recordings.

Here, we present a protocol to record telemetric electroencephalograms (EEGs) from freely moving piglets directly in the pigpen without the use of a sedative, making it possible to record typical EEG patterns during non-REM sleep, like spindle bursts.

The method allows the recording of high-quality electroencephalograms (EEGs) from freely moving piglets directly in the pigpen. We use a one-channel ...

Multi-Fiber Photometry to Record Neural Activity in Freely-Moving Animals

Recording the activity of a group of neurons in a freely-moving animal is a challenging undertaking. Moreover, as the brain is dissected into smaller and smaller functional subgroups, it becomes paramount to record from projections and/or genetically-defined subpopulations of neurons. Fiber photometry is an accessible and powerful approach that can overcome these challenges. By combining optical and genetic methodologies, neural activity can be measured in deep brain structures by expressing genetically-encoded calcium indicators, which translate neural activity into an optical signal that can be easily measured. The current protocol details the components of a multi-fiber photometry system, how to access deep brain structures to deliver and collect light, a method to account for motion artifacts, and how to process and analyze fluorescent signals. The protocol details experimental considerations when performing single and dual color imaging, from either single or multiple implanted optic fibers.

This protocol details how to implement and perform multi-fiber photometry recordings, how to correct for calcium-independent artifacts, and important considerations for dual-color photometry imaging.

Recording the activity of a group of neurons in a freely-moving animal is a challenging undertaking. Moreover, as the brain is dissected into smaller and ...

Intracerebroventricular Delivery of Gut-Derived Microbial Metabolites in Freely Moving Mice

The impact of gut microbiota and their metabolites on host physiology and behavior has been extensively investigated in this decade. Numerous studies have revealed that gut microbiota-derived metabolites modulate brain-mediated physiological functions through intricate gut-brain pathways in the host. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are the major bacteria-derived metabolites produced during dietary fiber fermentation by the gut microbiome. Secreted SCFAs from the gut can act at multiple sites in the periphery, affecting the immune, endocrine, and neural responses due to the vast distribution of SCFAs receptors. Therefore, it is challenging to differentiate the central and peripheral effects of SCFAs through oral and intraperitoneal administration of SCFAs. This paper presents a video-based method to interrogate the functional role of SCFAs in the brain via a guide cannula in freely moving mice. The amount and type of SCFAs in the brain can be adjusted by controlling the infusion volume and rate. This method can provide scientists with a way to appreciate the role of gut-derived metabolites in the brain.

Gut-derived microbial metabolites have multifaceted effects leading to complex behavior in animals. We aim to provide a step-by-step method to delineate the effects of gut-derived microbial metabolites in the brain via intracerebroventricular delivery via a guide cannula.

The impact of gut microbiota and their metabolites on host physiology and behavior has been extensively investigated in this decade. Numerous studies have ...

Extracellular Electrophysiological Recording in the Motor Cortex of Mice

Multichannel Extracellular Recording in Freely Moving Mice

The protocol aims to uncover the properties of neuronal firing and network local field potentials (LFPs) in behaving mice carrying out specific tasks by correlating the electrophysiological signals with spontaneous and/or specific behavior. This technique represents a valuable tool in studying the neuronal network activity underlying these behaviors. The article provides a detailed and complete procedure for electrode implantation and consequent extracellular recording in free-moving conscious mice. The study includes a detailed method for implanting the microelectrode arrays, capturing the LFP and neuronal spiking signals in the motor cortex (MC) using a multichannel system, and the subsequent offline data analysis. The advantage of multichannel recording in conscious animals is that a greater number of spiking neurons and neuronal subtypes can be obtained and compared, which allows the evaluation of the relationship between a specific behavior and the associated electrophysiological signals. Notably, the multichannel extracellular recording technique and the data analysis procedure described in the present study can be applied to other brain areas when conducting experiments in behaving mice.

Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multichannel Extracellular Recording for Studying Neuronal Activity in Freely Moving Mice 

The protocol describes the methodology of extracellular recording in the motor cortex (MC) to reveal extracellular electrophysiological properties in freely moving conscious mice, as well as the data analysis of local field potentials (LFPs) and spikes, which is useful for evaluating the network neural activity underlying behaviors of interest.

The protocol aims to uncover the properties of neuronal firing and network local field potentials (LFPs) in behaving mice carrying out specific tasks by ...

Cerebrospinal Fluid and Blood Withdrawal from Rats with Concurrent EEG Recording

Sampling Cerebrospinal Fluid and Blood from Lateral Tail Vein in Rats During EEG Recordings

Because the composition of body fluids reflects many physiological and pathological dynamics, biological liquid samples are commonly obtained in many experimental contexts to measure molecules of interest, such as hormones, growth factors, proteins, or small non-coding RNAs. A specific example is the sampling of biological liquids in the research of biomarkers for epilepsy. In these studies, it is desirable to compare the levels of molecules in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and in plasma, by withdrawing CSF and plasma in parallel and considering the time distance of the sampling from and to seizures. The combined CSF and plasma sampling, coupled with video-EEG monitoring in epileptic animals, is a promising approach for the validation of putative diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Here, a procedure of combined CSF withdrawal from cisterna magna and blood sampling from the lateral tail vein in epileptic rats that are continuously video-EEG monitored is described. This procedure offers significant advantages over other commonly used techniques. It permits rapid sampling with minimal pain or invasiveness, and reduced time of anesthesia. Additionally, it can be used to obtain CSF and plasma samples in both tethered and telemetry EEG recorded rats, and it may be used repeatedly across multiple days of experiment. By minimizing the stress due to sampling by shortening isoflurane anesthesia, measures are expected to reflect more accurately the true levels of investigated molecules in biofluids. Depending on the availability of an appropriate analytical assay, this technique may be used to measure the levels of multiple, different molecules while performing EEG recording at the same time.

Author Spotlight: Obtaining High-Quality CSF and Blood Samples for Epilepsy Biomarker Discovery 

The protocol shows repeated cerebrospinal fluid and blood collections from epileptic rats performed in parallel with continuous video-electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring. These are instrumental for exploring possible links between changes in various body fluid molecules and seizure activity.

Because the composition of body fluids reflects many physiological and pathological dynamics, biological liquid samples are commonly obtained in many ...

Multilayer Imaging with Microprism in Head-Fixed and Freely Moving Animals

Long-Term Imaging of Identified Neural Populations using Microprisms in Freely Moving and Head-Fixed Animals

With the advancement of multi-photon microscopy and molecular technologies, fluorescence imaging is rapidly growing to become a powerful approach for studying the structure, function, and plasticity of living brain tissues. In comparison to conventional electrophysiology, fluorescence microscopy can capture the neural activity as well as the morphology of the cells, enabling long-term recordings of the identified neuron populations at single-cell or subcellular resolution. However, high-resolution imaging typically requires a stable, head-fixed setup that restricts the movement of the animal, and the preparation of a flat surface of transparent glass allows visualization of neurons at one or more horizontal planes but is limited in studying the vertical processes running across different depths. Here, we describe a procedure to combine a head plate fixation and a microprism that gives multilayer and multimodal imaging. This surgical preparation not only gives access to the entire column of the mouse visual cortex but allows two-photon imaging in a head-fixed position and one-photon imaging in a freely moving paradigm. Using this approach, one can sample identified cell populations across different cortical layers, register their responses under head-fixed and freely moving states, and track the long-term changes over months. Thus, this method provides a comprehensive assay of the microcircuits, enabling direct comparison of neural activities evoked by well-controlled stimuli and under a natural behavioral paradigm.

Author Spotlight: Comparative Imaging of Neural Activity in Awake and Freely Moving States

When integrated with a head-plate and an optical design compatible with both single- and two-photon microscopes, the microprism lens presents a significant advantage in measuring neural responses in a vertical column under diverse conditions, including well-controlled experiments in head-fixed states or natural behavioral tasks in freely moving animals.

With the advancement of multi-photon microscopy and molecular technologies, fluorescence imaging is rapidly growing to become a powerful approach for ...