We are grateful to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (grant MT-5877), the National Institutes of Health (grants NS058668 and NS066664), and the US-Israeli Binational Foundation (grant 2003222) for funding these studies.

Experimental protocols were carried out on female Long Evans rats (250 - 350 g) in accordance with federally prescribed animal care and use guidelines and were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at the University of California San Diego.
1. Acclimating the Rat to Body Restraint
NOTE: Place the rat on a restricted diet. Feed the rat once per day immediately after each daily handling session to acclimate the rat to the restraint (described below...

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Construction of the experimental jig
The description of the mechanical parts used to build the experimental jig (Figure 4) is omitted from the protocol, as it can be constructed in a variety of ways. In this demonstration standard opto-mechanical parts and support clamps are used to mount the head restraint bar and the body restraint tube (see Materials section). Similar opto-mechanical parts can be used to mount the electrode ho...

Monitoring neuronal activity in an alert animal actively engaged in a behavioral task is critical for understanding the function and organization of the nervous system. Extracellular recording of the electrical activity from single neuronal units has long been a staple tool of systems neuroscience and is still widely in use at present. A variety of electrode types and configurations are available depending on the scientific and technical demands of a particular experiment. Chronically implanted microdrives or electrode arrays are often used in freely moving animals, including birds, rodents, and non-human primates1-4. Alternatively, acute penetrations with metal or glass microelectrodes via an external micromanipulator are often used to record from anesthetized or head-restrained animals. Glass micropipette electrodes have the advantage that they can be used in the juxtacellular or &#8220;cell attached&#8221; configuration to unambiguously isolate the activity of single neurons without the complications of post-hoc spike sorting5. These electrodes further permit recording from anatomically-identified cells or locations, as they can be used to inject small deposits of dye or neuroanatomical tracers, or even to fill the individual recorded cell. This configuration has been successfully applied in rats, mice and birds6-10. The presently described technique focuses on juxtacellular monitoring and extracellular dye deposits in alert, head-restrained rats. Note that unlike single cell juxtacellular fills, these dye deposits do not provide information about cell morphology or axonal projections11, but they enable exact anatomical localization to approximately 50 &#956;m and, critically, have a significantly higher yield in alert animals. Information regarding single-cell juxtacellular fills is nonetheless provided as an alternative strategy for anatomical labeling.
In brief, the protocol consists of three major phases. In the first phase, the rat is acclimated to body restraint in a cloth sock (Figure 1) over a period of 6 days. In the second phase, a head restraint apparatus (Figure 2) and recording chamber are surgically implanted such that the rat can be maintained in the stereotaxic plane during multiple subsequent recording sessions (Figure 3); this procedure enables the experimenter to target particular sub-cortical regions of the brain for electrophysiological study based on standard reference coordinates12. The third phase involves placing the rat in an appropriate jig for conducting the behavioral and electrophysiological experiments (Figure 4), constructing the electrode from a quartz capillary tube (Figure 5), making juxtacellular neuronal recordings that unambiguously isolate single units6-9, and marking the anatomical location of the recording site with Chicago Sky Blue dye (Figures 6 and 7). The recordings are performed with simultaneous behavioral monitoring; however, the technical details of the behavior will depend on the scientific goals of each experiment and are thus beyond the scope of a single protocol. After completion of the experimental procedure, which can be repeated on multiple days, the animal is euthanized. The brain is extracted and processed according to standard neuroanatomical techniques using either bright field or fluorescence microscopy.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="860">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:191px;">Name of the Reagent</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Company</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Catalogue Number</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">Comments&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:191px;">Ketaset (Ketamine HCl)</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Fort Dodge&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">N/A</td>
			<td style="width:315px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:191px;">Anased (Xylazine solution)</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Lloyd Laboratories</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">N/A</td>
			<td style="width:315px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:191px;">Betadyne (Povidone-Iodine)</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">CVS Pharmacy</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:175px;">269281</td>
			<td style="width:315px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:191px;">Loctite 495</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Grainger Industrial Supply</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">4KL86</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">20-40 cp cyanoacrylate</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:191px;">Vetbond</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">3M</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">1469SB</td>
			<td style="width:315px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:191px;">Grip cement powder</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Dentsply Intl</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:175px;">675571</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">For the base of the recording chamber</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:191px;">Grip cement liquid</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Dentsply Intl</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:175px;">675572</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">For the base of the recording chamber</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:191px;">Silicone Gel</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Dow Corning</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:175px;">Mar-80</td>
			<td style="width:315px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:191px;">Jet denture repair acrylic powder</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Lang Dental Manufacturing Co.</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">N/A</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">For securing the head restraint apparatus to the cranium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="63">
			<td height="63" style="height:63px;width:191px;">Ortho-Jet Fast curing orthodontic acrylic resin liquid</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Lang Dental Manufacturing Co.</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">N/A</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">For securing the head restraint apparatus to the cranium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:191px;">Chicago sky blue</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">C8679</td>
			<td style="width:315px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:191px;">Paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Sigma</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:175px;">158127</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">For perfusion and tissue fixation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:191px;">Phosphate-buffered saline</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">P3813</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">For perfusion and tissue fixation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:191px;">Cytochrome C</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">C2506</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">For cytochrome-oxidase staining (Figure 7)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:191px;">Diaminobenzidine</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Sigma</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">D5905</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">For cytochrome-oxidase staining (Figure 7)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;"></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:191px;">Material Name</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Company</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Catalogue Number</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">Comments&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="43">
			<td height="43" style="height:43px;width:191px;">Rat sock</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Sew Elegant (San Diego, CA)</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">N/A</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">Custom made, Figures 1, 4</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:191px;">PVC tube 2 &#189;&#8221;</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">U.S. Plastic Co.</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:175px;">34108</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">Figure 4</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="43">
			<td height="43" style="height:43px;width:191px;">Subminiature D pins &#38; sockets</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">TE Connectivity</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">205089-1</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">Figure 3</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="43">
			<td height="43" style="height:43px;width:191px;">Stainless steel music wire 0.010&#8221; diameter</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Precision Brand Products, Inc.</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:175px;">21010</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">Figure 3</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:191px;">Stereotaxic holding frame</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Kopf Instruments</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Model 900</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">Figure 3</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:191px;">Stereotaxic ear bars</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Kopf Instruments</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Model 957</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">Figure 3</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:191px;">Stereotaxic manipulator</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Kopf Instruments</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Model 960</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">Figure 3</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:191px;">&#189; mm drill burr</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Henry Schein</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">100-3995</td>
			<td style="width:315px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:191px;">Quiet-Air dental drill&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Midwest Dental</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">393-1600</td>
			<td style="width:315px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="43">
			<td height="43" style="height:43px;width:191px;">Stainless steel 0-80 1/8&#8221; screw</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Fastener superstore</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:175px;">247438</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">Figure 3</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:191px;">0.2mL centrifuge tube</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">05-407-8A</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">Figure 3</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:191px;">Custom head-holding bar</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">UCSD SIO Machine Shop</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">N/A</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">Custom made, Figures 2, 3, 4</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="20">
			<td height="41" rowspan="2" style="height:41px;width:191px;">Custom head-holding plate</td>
			<td rowspan="2" style="width:179px;">UCSD SIO Machine Shop</td>
			<td rowspan="2" style="width:175px;">N/A</td>
			<td rowspan="2" style="width:315px;">Custom made, Figure 2, 3, 4</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
		</tr>
		<tr height="64">
			<td height="64" style="height:64px;width:191px;">Right angle post-clamp</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Newport</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">MCA-1</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">Figure 3,4; standard opto-mechanical parts for the experimental jig (Figure 4) are also from Newport Corp.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:191px;">8-32 3/4&#8221; screw</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Fastener Superstore</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:175px;">240181</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">For head-restraint, Figure 3</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:191px;">4-40 &#188;&#8221; screw</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Fastener Superstore</td>
			<td align="right" style="width:175px;">239958</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">For head restraint, Figures 3, 4</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:191px;">Quartz capillary tubing</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Sutter Instruments</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">QF-100-60-10</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">Figure 5</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:191px;">Carbon dioxide laser puller</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Sutter instruments</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">P-2000</td>
			<td style="width:315px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="43">
			<td height="43" style="height:43px;width:191px;">Motorized micromanipulator</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Sutter Instruments</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">MP-285</td>
			<td style="width:315px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="43">
			<td height="43" style="height:43px;width:191px;">Microelectrode amplifier</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Molecular Devices</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Multiclamp 700B</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">Alternate part: Molecular Devices Axoclamp 900A</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="43">
			<td height="43" style="height:43px;width:191px;">Microelectrode amplifier head stage</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Molecular Devices</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">CV-7B</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">Alternate part: HS-9Ax10 with Molecular Devices Axoclamp 900A&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="43">
			<td height="43" style="height:43px;width:191px;">Isolated pulse stimulator</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">A-M Systems</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">Model 2100</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">Alternate part: HS-9Ax10 with Molecular Devices Axoclamp 900A</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:191px;">Audio monitor</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Radio Shack</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">32-2040</td>
			<td style="width:315px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="43" rowspan="2" style="height:43px;width:191px;">Pipette holder</td>
			<td rowspan="2" style="width:179px;">Warner Instruments</td>
			<td rowspan="2" style="width:175px;">#MEW-F10T</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">Alternate parts: see Discussion</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:315px;">Figure 6A</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:191px;">Electrode lead wire</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Cooner wire</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">NEF34-1646</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">(optional), Figure 6D</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="64">
			<td height="64" style="height:64px;width:191px;">Relay for amplifier head-stage</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">COTO Technology</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">#2342-05-000</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">(optional) Used with a custom-made printed circuit board (UCSD Physics Electronics Shop), Figure 6A-C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:191px;">Digital video camera</td>
			<td style="width:179px;">Basler</td>
			<td style="width:175px;">A602fm</td>
			<td style="width:315px;">(optional) For behavioral monitoring, Figure 7</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

juxtacellular monitoring and localization of single neurons within sub-cortical brain structures of alert, head-restrained rats

There are a variety of techniques to monitor extracellular activity of single neuronal units. However, monitoring this activity from deep brain structures in behaving animals remains a technical challenge, especially if the structures must be targeted stereotaxically. This protocol describes convenient surgical and electrophysiological techniques that maintain the animal&#8217;s head in the stereotaxic plane and unambiguously isolate the spiking activity of single neurons. The protocol combines head restraint of alert rodents, juxtacellular monitoring with micropipette electrodes, and iontophoretic dye injection to identify the neuron location in post-hoc histology. While each of these techniques is in itself well-established, the protocol focuses on the specifics of their combined use in a single experiment. These neurophysiological and neuroanatomical techniques are combined with behavioral monitoring. In the present example, the combined techniques are used to determine how self-generated vibrissa movements are encoded in the activity of neurons within the somatosensory thalamus. More generally, it is straightforward to adapt this protocol to monitor neuronal activity in conjunction with a variety of behavioral tasks in rats, mice, and other animals. Critically, the combination of these methods allows the experimenter to directly relate anatomically-identified neurophysiological signals to behavior.

Neuronal units in ventral posterior medial (VPM) thalamus encode the phase of vibrissa movement during self-generated whisking15,16. Figure 7A shows sample spiking activity of a VPM thalamic unit as a rat is actively whisking. Figure 7B shows a histogram of spike times aligned to the instantaneous phase of vibrissa motion17. There are more spikes during the retraction phase of whisking. After the recording, the location of the unit was labeled via iontophoresis of C...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Juxtacellular Monitoring and Localization of Single Neurons within Sub-cortical Brain Structures of Alert, Head-restrained Rats at JoVE.com

Juxtacellular Monitoring and Localization of Single Neurons within Sub-cortical Brain Structures of Alert, Head-restrained Rats

This protocol describes the design and surgical implantation of a head-restraining mechanism to monitor neuronal activity in sub-cortical brain structures in alert rats. It delineates procedures to isolate single neurons in the juxtacellular configuration and to efficiently identify their anatomical locations.

There are a variety of techniques to monitor extracellular activity of single neuronal units. However, monitoring this activity from deep brain structures ...

juxtacellular-monitoring-localization-single-neurons-within-sub

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

11.2K ビュー.  University of California, San Diego. This protocol describes the design and surgical implantation of a head-restraining mechanism to monitor neuronal activity in sub-cortical brain structures in alert rats. It delineates procedures to isolate single neurons in the juxtacellular configuration and to efficiently identify their anatomical locations.

ビデオ: Juxtacellular Monitoring and Localization of Single Neurons within Sub-cortical Brain Structures of Alert, Head-restrained Rats

This protocol describes the design and surgical implantation of a head-restraining mechanism to monitor neuronal activity in sub-cortical brain structures in alert rats.  It delineates procedures to isolate single neurons in the juxtacellular configuration and to efficiently identify their anatomical...

multi-system monitoring for identification of seizures, arrhythmias and apnea in conscious restrained rabbits

Multi-system Monitoring for Identification of Seizures, Arrhythmias and Apnea in Conscious Restrained Rabbits

Using simultaneous video-EEG-ECG-oximetry-capnography, we developed a methodology to evaluate the susceptibility of rabbit models to develop provoked arrhythmias and seizures. This novel recording system establishes a platform to test the efficacy and safety of therapeutics and can capture the complex cascade of multi-system events that culminate in sudden...

brain dissociation and seeding of cortical neurons in cell culture 

Brain Dissociation and Seeding of Cortical Neurons in Cell Culture 

head implants for the neuroimaging of awake, head-fixed rats

Head Implants for the Neuroimaging of Awake, Head-Fixed Rats

A detailed new procedure for functional imaging of awake, head-fixed rats is...

transcranial electrical brain stimulation in alert rodents

Transcranial Electrical Brain Stimulation in Alert Rodents

This protocol describes a surgical set-up for a permanent epicranial electrode socket and an implanted chest electrode in rodents. By placing a second electrode into the socket, different types of transcranial electrical brain stimulation can be delivered to the motor system in alert animals through the intact...

imaging neurons within thick brain sections using the golgi-cox method

Imaging Neurons within Thick Brain Sections Using the Golgi-Cox Method

We present a protocol for using the Golgi-Cox staining method in thick brain sections, in order to visualize neurons with long dendritic&#160;trees contained within single tissue samples. Two variants of this protocol are also presented that involve cresyl violet counterstaining, and the freezing of unprocessed brains for long-term...

juxtasomal biocytin labeling to study the structure-function relationship of individual cortical neurons

Juxtasomal Biocytin Labeling to Study the Structure-function Relationship of Individual Cortical Neurons

To understand the structure of neuronal networks, functional and morphological characterization of individual neurons is a necessity. Here, we demonstrate juxtasomal biocytin labeling, which allows electrophysiological recordings in the extracellular configuration, yet maintaining the ability to intracellularly label the neuron for post&#160;hoc reconstruction of dendritic and axonal...

automated production of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cortical and dopaminergic neurons with integrated live-cell monitoring

Automated Production of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cortical and Dopaminergic Neurons with Integrated Live-Cell Monitoring

We show the automation of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) cultures and neuronal differentiations compatible with automated imaging and...

embedded bioprinting of tissue-like structures using &#954;-carrageenan sub-microgel medium

Author Spotlight: Development of Homogeneous &lt;em&gt;&amp;#954;&lt;/em&gt;-Carrageenan Sub-Microgel Baths for High-Resolution 3D Bioprinting

This study introduces a novel &#954;-carrageenan sub-microgel suspension bath, displaying remarkable reversible jamming-unjamming transition properties. These attributes contribute to the construction of biomimetic tissues and organs in embedded 3D bioprinting. The successful printing of heart/esophageal-like tissues with high resolution and cell growth demonstrates high-quality bioprinting and tissue engineering...

Embedded Bioprinting of Tissue-like Structures Using &#954;-Carrageenan Sub-Microgel Medium

single cell electroporation in vivo within the intact developing brain

Single Cell Electroporation in vivo within the Intact Developing Brain

Single-cell electroporation (SCE) is a specialized technique allowing delivery of DNA or other macromolecules into individual cells within intact tissue, including in vivo preparations. Here we detail the procedure for SCE of a fluorescent dye or plasmid DNA into neurons within the intact brain of the Xenopus laevis...

simultaneous multicolor imaging of biological structures with fluorescence photoactivation localization microscopy

Simultaneous Multicolor Imaging of Biological Structures with Fluorescence Photoactivation Localization Microscopy

We demonstrate the use of fluorescence photo activation localization microscopy (FPALM) to simultaneously image multiple types of fluorescently labeled molecules&#160;within cells. The techniques described yield the localization of thousands to hundreds of thousands of individual fluorescent labeled proteins, with a precision of tens of nanometers&#160;within single...

bilaminar co-culture of primary rat cortical neurons and glia

Bilaminar Co-culture of Primary Rat Cortical Neurons and Glia

Here we provide a protocol for culturing rat cortical neurons in the presence of a glial feeder layer. The cultured neurons establish polarity and create synapses, and can be separated from the glia for use in various applications, such as electrophysiology, calcium imaging, cell survival assays, immunocytochemistry, and RNA/DNA/protein...

an open-source virtual reality system for the measurement of spatial learning in head-restrained mice

An Open-Source Virtual Reality System for the Measurement of Spatial Learning in Head-Restrained Mice

Here, we present a simplified open-source hardware and software setup for investigating mouse spatial learning using virtual reality (VR). This system displays a virtual linear track to a head-restrained mouse running on a wheel by utilizing a network of microcontrollers and a single-board computer running an easy-to-use Python graphical software...

nucleofection and primary culture of embryonic mouse hippocampal and cortical neurons

Nucleofection and Primary Culture of Embryonic Mouse Hippocampal and Cortical Neurons

This protocol outlines the steps required to dissect, transfect via electroporation and culture mouse hippocampal and cortical neurons.  Short-term cultures may be used for studies of axon outgrowth and guidance, while long-term cultures can be used for studies of synaptogenesis and dendritic spine...

manipulation of single neural stem cells and neurons in brain slices using robotic microinjection

Manipulation of Single Neural Stem Cells and Neurons in Brain Slices using Robotic Microinjection

This protocol demonstrates the use of a robotic platform for microinjection into single neural stem cells and neurons in brain slices. This technique is versatile and offers a method of tracking cells in tissue with high spatial...

nuclear transport assays in permeabilized mouse cortical neurons

Nuclear Transport Assays in Permeabilized Mouse Cortical Neurons

We have developed a reliable method of selective plasma membrane permeabilization of primary mouse cortical neurons for high content automated analysis of neuronal nucleocytoplasmic...

super-resolution imaging to study co-localization of proteins and synaptic markers in primary neurons

Super-Resolution Imaging to Study Co-Localization of Proteins and Synaptic Markers in Primary Neurons

This protocol shows how to employ super-resolution microscopy to study protein co-localization in primary neuronal...

laser capture microdissection of enriched populations of neurons or single neurons for gene expression analysis after traumatic brain injury

Laser Capture Microdissection of Enriched Populations of Neurons or Single Neurons for Gene Expression Analysis After Traumatic Brain Injury

We describe how to use laser capture microdissection (LCM) to obtain enriched populations of hippocampal neurons or single neurons from frozen sections of the injured rat brain for subsequent gene expression analysis using quantitative real time PCR and/or whole-genome...

generating and co-culturing murine primary microglia and cortical neurons

Author Spotlight: In Vitro Co-Culture Model for Studying Microglia-Neuronal Interactions in Disease Conditions

This protocol describes a microglia-neuronal co-culture established from primary neuronal cells isolated from mouse embryos at embryonic days 15-16 and primary microglia generated from the brains of neonatal mice at post-natal days...

Generating and Co-culturing Murine Primary Microglia and Cortical Neurons

investigating the function of deep cortical and subcortical structures using stereotactic electroencephalography: lessons from the anterior cingulate cortex

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

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

Single-cell Profiling of Developing and Mature Retinal Neurons

Highly specialized, but exceedingly small populations of cells play important roles in many tissues. The identification of cell-type specific markers and gene expression programs for extremely rare cell subsets has been a challenge using standard whole-tissue approaches. Gene expression profiling of individual cells allows for unprecedented access to cell types that comprise only a small percentage of the total tissue1-7. In addition, this technique can be used to examine the gene expression programs that are transiently expressed in small numbers of cells during dynamic developmental transitions8.
This issue of cellular diversity arises repeatedly in the central nervous system (CNS) where neuronal connections can occur between quite diverse cells9. The exact number of distinct cell types is not precisely known, but it has been estimated that there may be as many as 1000 different types in the cortex itself10. The function(s) of complex neural circuits may rely on some of the rare neuronal types and the genes they express. By identifying new markers and helping to molecularly classify different neurons, the single-cell approach is particularly useful in the analysis of cell types in the nervous system. It may also help to elucidate mechanisms of neural development by identifying differentially expressed genes and gene pathways during early stages of neuronal progenitor development.
As a simple, easily accessed tissue with considerable neuronal diversity, the vertebrate retina is an excellent model system for studying the processes of cellular development, neuronal differentiation and neuronal diversification. However, as in other parts of the CNS, this cellular diversity can present a problem for determining the genetic pathways that drive retinal progenitors to adopt a specific cell fate, especially given that rod photoreceptors make up the majority of the total retinal cell population11. Here we report a method for the identification of the transcripts expressed in single retinal cells (Figure 1). The single-cell profiling technique allows for the assessment of the amount of heterogeneity present within different cellular populations of the retina2,4,5,12. In addition, this method has revealed a host of new candidate genes that may play role(s) in the cell fate decision-making processes that occur in subsets of retinal progenitor cells8. With some simple adjustments to the protocol, this technique can be utilized for many different tissues and cell types.

A method for the isolation of single retinal cells and subsequent amplification of their cDNAs is described. Single-cell transcriptomics reveals the degree of cellular heterogeneity present in a tissue and uncovers new marker genes for rare cell populations. The accompanying protocol can be adjusted to suit many different cell types.

Highly specialized, but exceedingly small populations of cells play important roles in many tissues. The identification of cell-type specific markers and ...

Long-term cognitive disability after TBI is associated with injury-induced neurodegeneration in the hippocampus-a region in the medial temporal lobe that is critical for learning, memory and executive function.1,2 Hence our studies focus on gene expression analysis of specific neuronal populations in distinct subregions of the hippocampus. The technique of laser capture microdissection (LCM), introduced in 1996 by Emmert-Buck, et al.,3 has allowed for significant advances in gene expression analysis of single cells and enriched populations of cells from heterogeneous tissues such as the mammalian brain that contains thousands of functional cell types.4 We use LCM and a well established rat model of traumatic brain injury (TBI) to investigate the molecular mechanisms that underlie the pathogenesis of TBI. Following fluid-percussion TBI, brains are removed at pre-determined times post-injury, immediately frozen on dry ice, and prepared for sectioning in a cryostat. The rat brains can be embedded in OCT and sectioned immediately, or stored several months at -80 &deg;C before sectioning for laser capture microdissection. Additionally, we use LCM to study the effects of TBI on circadian rhythms. For this, we capture neurons from the suprachiasmatic nuclei that contain the master clock of the mammalian brain. Here, we demonstrate the use of LCM to obtain single identified neurons (injured and degenerating, Fluoro-Jade-positive, or uninjured, Fluoro-Jade-negative) and enriched populations of hippocampal neurons for subsequent gene expression analysis by real time PCR and/or whole-genome microarrays. These LCM-enabled studies have revealed that the selective vulnerability of anatomically distinct regions of the rat hippocampus are reflected in the different gene expression profiles of different populations of neurons obtained by LCM from these distinct regions. The results from our single-cell studies, where we compare the transcriptional profiles of dying and adjacent surviving hippocampal neurons, suggest the existence of a cell survival rheostat that regulates cell death and survival after TBI.

We describe how to use laser capture microdissection (LCM) to obtain enriched populations of hippocampal neurons or single neurons from frozen sections of the injured rat brain for subsequent gene expression analysis using quantitative real time PCR and/or whole-genome microarrays.

Long-term cognitive disability after TBI is associated with injury-induced neurodegeneration in the hippocampus-a region in the medial temporal lobe that ...

The Golgi-Cox method of neuron staining has been employed for more than two hundred years to advance our understanding of neuron morphology within histological brain samples. While it is preferable from a practical perspective to prepare brain sections at the greatest thickness possible, in order to increase the probability of identifying stained neurons that are fully contained within single sections, this approach is limited from a technical perspective by the working distance of high-magnification microscope objectives. We report here a protocol to stain neurons using the Golgi-Cox method in mouse brain sections that are cut at 500 &#956;m thickness, and to visualize neurons throughout the depth of these sections using an upright microscope fitted with a high-resolution 30X 1.05 N.A. silicone oil-immersion objective that has an 800 &#956;m working distance. We also report two useful variants of this protocol that may be employed to counterstain the surface of mounted brain sections with the cresyl violet Nissl stain, or to freeze whole brains for long-term storage prior to sectioning and final processing. The main protocol and its two variants produce stained thick brain sections, throughout which full neuron dendritic&#160;trees and dendrite spines may be reliably visualized and quantified.

We present a protocol for using the Golgi-Cox staining method in thick brain sections, in order to visualize neurons with long dendritic&#160;trees contained within single tissue samples. Two variants of this protocol are also presented that involve cresyl violet counterstaining, and the freezing of unprocessed brains for long-term storage.

The Golgi-Cox method of neuron staining has been employed for more than two hundred years to advance our understanding of neuron morphology within ...

Modeling Amyloid-&#946;42 Toxicity and Neurodegeneration in Adult Zebrafish Brain

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease in which accumulation of toxic amyloid-&#946;42 (A&#946;42) peptides leads to synaptic degeneration, inflammation, neuronal death, and learning deficits. Humans cannot regenerate lost neurons in the case of AD in part due to impaired proliferative capacity of the neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) and reduced neurogenesis. Therefore, efficient regenerative therapies should also enhance the proliferation and neurogenic capacity of NSPCs. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a regenerative organism, and we can learn the basic molecular programs with which we could design therapeutic approaches to tackle AD. For this reason, the generation of an AD-like model in zebrafish was necessary. Using our methodology, we can introduce synthetic derivatives of A&#946;42 peptide with tissue penetrating capability into the adult zebrafish brain, and analyze the disease pathology and the regenerative response. The advantage over the existing methods or animal models is that zebrafish can teach us how a vertebrate brain can naturally regenerate, and thus help us to treat human neurodegenerative diseases better by targeting endogenous NSPCs. Therefore, the amyloid-toxicity model established in the adult zebrafish brain may open new avenues for research in the field of neuroscience and clinical medicine. Additionally, the simple execution of this method allows for cost-effective and efficient experimental assessment. This manuscript describes the synthesis and injection of A&#946;42 peptides into zebrafish brain.

Modeling Amyloid-&amp;#946;42 Toxicity and Neurodegeneration in Adult Zebrafish Brain

This protocol describes the synthesis, characterization, and injection of monomeric amyloid-&#946;42 peptides for generating amyloid toxicity in adult zebrafish to establish an Alzheimer&#39;s disease model, followed by histological analyses and detection of aggregations.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease in which accumulation of toxic amyloid-&#946;42 (A&#946;42) peptides leads to ...

Transcranial electrical brain stimulation can modulate cortical excitability and plasticity in humans and rodents. The most common form of stimulation in humans is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Less frequently, transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) or transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS), a specific form of tACS using an electrical current applied randomly within a pre-defined frequency range, is used. The increase of noninvasive electrical brain stimulation research in humans, both for experimental and clinical purposes, has yielded an increased need for basic, mechanistic, safety studies in animals. This article describes a model for transcranial electrical brain stimulation (tES) through the intact skull targeting the motor system in alert rodents. The protocol provides step-by-step instructions for the surgical set-up of a permanent epicranial electrode socket combined with an implanted counter electrode on the chest. By placing a stimulation electrode into the epicranial socket, different electrical stimulation types, comparable to tDCS, tACS, and tRNS in humans, can be delivered. Moreover, the practical steps for tES in alert rodents are introduced. The applied current density, stimulation duration, and stimulation type may be chosen depending on the experimental needs. The caveats, advantages, and disadvantages of this set-up are discussed, as well as safety and tolerability aspects.

This protocol describes a surgical set-up for a permanent epicranial electrode socket and an implanted chest electrode in rodents. By placing a second electrode into the socket, different types of transcranial electrical brain stimulation can be delivered to the motor system in alert animals through the intact skull.

Transcranial electrical brain stimulation can modulate cortical excitability and plasticity in humans and rodents. The most common form of stimulation in ...

Isolation and RNA Extraction of Neurons, Macrophages and Microglia from Larval Zebrafish Brains

To gain a detailed understanding of the role of different CNS cells during development or the establishment and progression of brain pathologies, it is important to isolate these cells without changing their gene expression profile. The zebrafish model provides a large number of transgenic fish lines in which specific cell types are labelled; for example neurons in the NBT:DsRed line or macrophages/microglia in the mpeg1:eGFP line. Furthermore, antibodies have been developed to stain specific cells, such as microglia with the 4C4 antibody.
Here, we describe the isolation of neurons, macrophages and microglia from larval zebrafish brains. Central to this protocol is the avoidance of an enzymatic tissue digestion at 37 &#176;C, which could modify cellular profiles. Instead a mechanical system of tissue homogenization at 4 &#176;C is used. This protocol entails homogenization of brains into cell suspension, their immuno-staining and the isolation of neurons, macrophages and microglia by FACS. Afterwards, we extracted RNA from those cells and evaluated their quality/quantity. We managed to obtain RNA of high quality (RNA Integrity Number (RIN) &#62; 7) to perform qPCR on macrophages/microglia and neurons, and transcriptomic analysis on microglia. This approach enables a better characterization of these cells, as well as a clearer understanding about their role in development and pathologies.

We present a protocol to isolate neurons, macrophages and microglia from larval zebrafish brains under physiological and pathological conditions. Upon isolation, RNA is extracted from these cells to analyze their gene expression profile. This protocol allows for the collection of high-quality RNA for performing downstream analysis like qPCR and transcriptomics.

To gain a detailed understanding of the role of different CNS cells during development or the establishment and progression of brain pathologies, it is ...

Localization of the Locus Coeruleus in the Mouse Brain

The locus coeruleus (LC) is a major hub of norepinephrine producing neurons that modulate a number of physiological functions. Structural or functional abnormalities of LC impact several brain regions including cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum and may contribute to depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, as well as Parkinson disease and Alzheimer disease. These disorders are often associated with metal misbalance, but the role of metals in LC is only partially understood. Morphologic and functional studies of LC are needed to better understand the human pathologies and contribution of metals. Mice are a widely used experimental model, but the mouse LC is small (~0.3 mm diameter) and hard to identify for a non-expert. Here, we describe a step-by-step immunohistochemistry-based protocol to localize the LC in the mouse brain. Dopamine-&#946;-hydroxylase (DBH), and alternatively, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), both enzymes highly expressed in the LC, are used as immunohistochemical markers in brain slices. Sections adjacent to LC-containing sections can be used for further analysis, including histology for morphological studies, metabolic testing, as well as metal imaging by X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM).

The locus coeruleus is a small cluster of neurons involved in a variety of physiological processes. Here, we describe a protocol to prepare mouse brain sections for studies of proteins and metals in this nucleus.

The locus coeruleus (LC) is a major hub of norepinephrine producing neurons that modulate a number of physiological functions. Structural or functional ...

A Bedside, Single Burr Hole Approach to Multimodality Monitoring in Severe Brain Injury

Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring is a cornerstone of the intensive care management of patients with severe acute brain injuries, including traumatic brain injury. While elevations in ICP are common, data regarding the measurement and treatment of these ICP elevations are conflicting. There is increasing recognition that changes in the balance between supply and demand of brain tissue are critically important and therefore the measurement of multiple modalities is required. Approaches are not standard, and therefore this article provides a description of a bedside, single burr hole approach to multimodality monitoring that allows the passage of probes designed to measure not only ICP but brain tissue oxygen, blood flow, and intracranial electroencephalography. Patient selection criteria, operative procedures, and practical considerations for securing probes during critical care are described. This method is readily performed, safe, secure, and flexible for the adoption of a variety of multimodality monitoring approaches aimed at detecting or preventing secondary brain injuries.

A method of recording multimodality monitoring signals in patients with severe brain injuries using a bedside, single burr hole technique is described.

Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring is a cornerstone of the intensive care management of patients with severe acute brain injuries, including traumatic ...

Three-Dimensional Shape Modeling and Analysis of Brain Structures

Statistical shape analysis of brain structures has been used to investigate the association between their structural changes and pathological processes. We have developed a software package for accurate and robust shape modeling and group-wise analysis. Here, we introduce an pipeline for the shape analysis, from individual 3D shape modeling to quantitative group shape analysis. We also describe the pre-processing and segmentation steps using open software packages. This practical guide would help researchers save time and effort in 3D shape analysis on brain structures.

We introduce a semi-automatic protocol for shape analysis on brain structures, including image segmentation using open software, and further group-wise shape analysis using an automated modeling package. Here, we demonstrate each step of the 3D shape analysis protocol with hippocampal segmentation from brain MR images.

Statistical shape analysis of brain structures has been used to investigate the association between their structural changes and pathological processes. ...

Focused Ultrasound Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Opening for Targeting Brain Structures and Evaluating Chemogenetic Neuromodulation

Acoustically Targeted Chemogenetics (ATAC) allows for the noninvasive control of specific neural circuits. ATAC achieves such control through a combination of focused ultrasound (FUS) induced blood-brain barrier opening (FUS-BBBO), gene delivery with adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors, and activation of cellular signaling with engineered, chemogenetic, protein receptors and their cognate ligands. With ATAC, it is possible to transduce both large and small brain regions with millimeter precision using a single noninvasive ultrasound application. This transduction can later allow for a long-term, noninvasive, device-free neuromodulation in freely moving animals using a drug. Since FUS-BBBO, AAVs, and chemogenetics have been used in multiple animals, ATAC should also be scalable for the use in other animal species. This paper expands upon a previously published protocol and outlines how to optimize the gene delivery with FUS-BBBO to small brain regions with MRI-guidance but without a need for a complicated MRI-compatible FUS device. The protocol, also, describes the design of mouse targeting and restraint components that can be 3D-printed by any lab and can be easily modified for different species or custom equipment. To aid reproducibility, the protocol describes in detail how the microbubbles, AAVs, and venipuncture were used in ATAC development. Finally, an example data is shown to guide the preliminary investigations of studies utilizing ATAC.

This protocol delineates steps necessary for the gene delivery through focused ultrasound blood brain barrier (BBB) opening, evaluation of the resulting gene expression, and measurement of neuromodulation activity of chemogenetic receptors through histological tests.