This study was supported in part by the Merit Review Award #B1495-R (Capadona) and the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientist and Engineers (PECASE, Capadona) from the United States (US) Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation Research and Development Service. Additionally, this work was supported in part by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs through the Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program under Award No. W81XWH-15-1-0608. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The authors would like to thank Dr. Hiroyuki Arakawa in the CWRU Rodent Behavior Core for his guidance in designing and testing rodent behavioral protocols. The authors would also like to thank James Drake and Kevin Talbot from the CWRU Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering for their help in designing and manufacturing the rodent ladder test.

All procedures and animal care practices were approved by and performed in accordance with the Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees.
NOTE: To educate researchers on the decision about the use of a stab injury model as a control, it is recommended to review the work done by Potter et al.21.
1. Microelectrode Implantation Surgical Procedure
<ol>
	<li>Pre-surgical animal preparation
	<ol>
		<li>Anesthetize the animal in an induction chamber using isoflurane (2 - 4%). While under anesthesia, continuously monitor the animal using a vital measurement system to monitor the heart rate and the blood-oxygen content.</li>
		<li>Move the animal to a nose cone to continue the anesthetic. Subcutaneously (SQ) inject a cephalosporin antibiotic, e.g. cefazolin (25 mg/kg) and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, e.g. carprofen (5 mg/kg) to prevent infection and manage the pain, respectively.</li>
		<li>Liberally apply ophthalmic ointment to the animal&#39;s eyes to prevent them from drying.</li>
		<li>Using small animal nail clippers, trim the toenails to prevent the animal from scratching the sutures during the wound healing. Ensure that the nails are not clipped too short, as this can lead to pain and bleeding for the animal.</li>
		<li>Shave the animal&#39;s head thoroughly from behind the ears to between the eyes using an electric razor trimmer.</li>
		<li>Provide a local analgesia with an SQ injection of bupivacaine (0.3 mL of 0.125% bupivacaine diluted from stock solution) at the top of the animal&#39;s head in the area of the incision.</li>
		<li>Mount the animal on a stereotaxic frame, using ear bars to keep the head from moving during the surgery. Place a circulating water heating pad under the animal to maintain the animal&#39;s internal temperature.&#160;</li>
		<li>Apply a sterile drape, e.g., institutionally-approved sterile plastic wrap, to isolate the surgical field.</li>
		<li>Scrub the surgical area using an alternating betadine solution and isopropanol scrubs.</li>
		<li>Perform a toe pinch according to the institutional protocol to ensure the animal is under the surgical plane.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Prepare animal for implantation
	<ol>
		<li>Create an incision of approximately 1 in down midline exposing the skull using a No. 10 scalpel blade. Bluntly remove the periosteum using a cotton-tipped applicator, and stop any bleeding using a gauze pad. Retract the surrounding tissue using alligator clips and clean and dehydrate the skull with hydrogen peroxide.</li>
		<li>Place a few drops of cyanoacrylate-based tissue adhesive on the exposed skull to improve the dental cement bonding in later steps.</li>
		<li>In the chosen hemisphere, mark the region of the motor cortex corresponding to forepaw movement approximately 3 mm lateral to midline and 2 mm anterior to bregma by creating a nick in the bone.</li>
		<li>Remove a portion of the skull using a 1.75-mm rounded tip dental drill, taking special consideration not to drill too quickly or too deeply, and supporting one hand on the stereotaxic frame. The drill should be applied to the skull intermittently to avoid overheating31.</li>
		<li>Reflect the dura using a fine hooked 45&#176; dura pick.</li>
		<li>Clean any bleeding using a cotton-tipped applicator and saline, taking care to not directly touch the brain surface.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Insertion of microelectrode in motor cortex
	<ol>
		<li>Carefully mount the sterilized microelectrode in the universal holder on the stereotaxic frame, taking caution not to bump the shank of the electrode. Ensure that the headstage interface connector of the electrode is firmly held by the holder. 
		NOTE: Here, a non-functional Michigan-style silicon shank electrode measuring 2 mm x 123 &#181;m x 15 &#181;m was used, and the shank was inserted using fine forceps.</li>
		<li>Using the micromanipulators on the stereotaxic frame, carefully position the tip of the electrode over the open craniotomy.</li>
		<li>Gently lower the electrode approximately 2 mm into the brain using the micromanipulators as a measurement guide (depending on the choice of electrode, an automated insertion at controlled rates may be required.) Take caution to avoid any visible vasculature whenever possible. Once the electrode is in place, carefully release the connector from the universal holder and retract the insertion arm.</li>
		<li>Carefully clean any bleeding from around the electrode using a cotton-tipped applicator and saline.</li>
		<li>Seal off the craniotomy around the implanted electrode using a silicone elastomer.</li>
		<li>Fix the electrode to the skull using dental cement.</li>
		<li>Once the cement is completely dry, bring the edges of the incision together at the front and back of the cement headcap and suture them shut.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Post-operative care
	<ol>
		<li>Allow the animal to recover on a circulating water heating pad while continuing to monitor its vital signs. Avoid using heat lamps as the temperature from lamps is more difficult to control and animals can overheat.</li>
		<li>Once the animal is fully awake, move the animal to a clean cage with easy access to food and water.</li>
		<li>During post-operative days 1 - 3, provide the animals with SQ cephalosporin antibiotic (25 mg/kg) and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (5 mg/kg) to prevent infection and manage their pain.</li>
		<li>Monitor the animals daily for the signs of pain or discomfort, bleeding, weight change, or suture issues through at least post-operative day 5.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
2. Behavioral Testing
<ol>
	<li>For all behavior testing, test the animals 2x per test in the week prior to the electrode implantation surgery to calculate their pre-surgery baseline scores. Following the surgery, allow the animals to rest for 1 week before beginning behavior testing 2x per week on each test. Consistent testing conditions should be used throughout the study for both pre- and post-surgical testing to minimize the effects of stress on the performance, which could result in a measurement of anxiety.
	<ol>
		<li>Clean all testing equipment with a chlorine dioxide-based sterilant at the beginning of each testing session and after each animal.</li>
		<li>Film the open field grid and ladder testing. These tests require a video camera (1080p, minimum of 15 fps, 78&#176; diagonal field of view), a laptop, and room to store the video data.</li>
		<li>At the beginning of each testing day, bring the animals to the testing room and allow them to acclimate for at least 20 min before beginning the testing. The room should be light and temperature-controlled, and the same personnel should complete all testing. Ideally, the same room will be used for all animals throughout the course of the testing with no changes to the room.</li>
		<li>Use food rewards to encourage the animals to complete the tasks, especially during the ladder training. Cereals or small pieces of banana chips or crackers make good rewards.</li>
		<li>Normalize all weekly testing performances to the pre-surgery scores for each individual animal (Equation 1). 
		Equation 1: <img alt="Equation 1" src="/files/ftp_upload/57829/57829eq1.jpg" /></li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Open field grid testing 
	NOTE: The open field grid test was built in-house and has a running surface of 1 m2 with approximately 40-cm high opaque side walls. The bottom running surface of the grid is divided into 9 equal squares from the underside using tape (Figure 1A). The recording camera is permanently mounted above the center of the grid on scaffolding.
	<ol>
		<li>To begin open field grid testing, place the animal in the center of the grid facing away from the tester.</li>
		<li>Allow the animal to run freely for 3 min while recording a video.</li>
		<li>When the animal has completed testing, remove the animal from the grid and return it to the cage. Clean the grid thoroughly with chlorine dioxide-based sterilant.</li>
		<li>Test each animal 1x per testing day.</li>
		<li>Analyze the number of gridlines crossed, the total distance traveled, and the maximum velocity of the animal as metrics of the gross motor function using a video tracking software. 
		NOTE: The data presented here were quantified manually by trained researchers, but it is preferred to use a recently developed in-house tracking algorithm32.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Ladder testing 
	NOTE: The ladder test was built in-house and consists of 2 clear acrylic side walls, each 1 m in length, connected by 3-mm diameter rungs spaced at 2 cm apart (Figure 2A). Ladder testing is a skilled test, and therefore requires 1 week of training prior to recording the pre-surgery baseline scores. The protocol for the training and testing is the same.
	<ol>
		<li>Move the animal to a temporary clean holding cage to begin ladder testing.</li>
		<li>Set the ladder up so that it bridges 2 cages. The start end of the ladder rests on a clean cage, and the finish end rests on the animal&#39;s home cage to serve as a motivation to complete the run.</li>
		<li>Position the same (or similar) video camera on a tripod at the center of the ladder. The position of the camera should be at rung height and allow for the whole ladder to be seen.</li>
		<li>With the video camera running, hold the animal to the starting line of the ladder, allowing their front paws to touch the first rung.</li>
		<li>Allow the animal to cross the ladder at their own pace. The time elapsed between the moment when the animal&#39;s paw touches the first rung and the finish line at the third to last rung will determine the animal&#39;s time to cross.</li>
		<li>If the animal turns around on the ladder or does not move for a period of 20 s, consider the animal to have failed the run. Assign the animals a penalty score time for each failed run. Determine the penalty time by the slowest performance recorded during pre-surgery testing27.</li>
		<li>Allow each animal to cross the ladder 5x per testing day with approximately 1 min rest in between each run.</li>
		<li>Average the fastest 3 runs per day as a metric of fine motor function. Additionally, record the number of times each of the front paws slips off the rungs using a video tracking software. 
		NOTE: The data presented here were quantified manually by trained researchers, but it is preferred to use a recently developed in-house tracking algorithm using Dona et al.32.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Grip strength testing
	<ol>
		<li>Calibrate the grip strength meter before each testing session, and measure the strength in grams.</li>
		<li>Position the grip strength meter on the edge of a counter with the grip handlebars extended over the floor.</li>
		<li>Allow the animal to grab the handlebars with both front paws while holding the animal by the base of the tail (Figure 3A).</li>
		<li>Once the animal has a firm grip with each paw, pull the animal away from the meter by the base of the tail with slow and steady force.</li>
		<li>Record the maximum grip strength exerted by the animal which is displayed on the digital output by the grip strength meter.</li>
		<li>Test each animal 3x per testing day with approximately 2 min rest in between each test.</li>
		<li>As a metric of fine motor function, record and average the maximum grip strength output from each of the 3 trials.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
3. Post-behavioral Protocol
<ol>
	<li>Following all behavioral testing (e.g, 8 - 16 weeks after the implantation), anesthetize the animals deeply using ketamine (160 mg/kg) and xylazine (20 mg/kg), transcardially perfuse them, harvest their brains and cryo-slice them, and stain the tissue using immunohistochemical markers to quantify the cellular response around the site of implantation33,34,35,36,37,38.</li>
</ol>
4. Statistical Analysis
NOTE: A prospective power analysis is strongly suggested for any studies seeking to answer a particular research question. The power analysis, which informs the number of animals required to achieve a statistical significance for a particular study design, should be based on the particular research hypothesis, the design of the experiment, the estimated effect size and variability of the intended treatments, as well the effect size required to achieve clinical or scientific relevance.
<ol>
	<li>Conduct statistical analyses using common statistical software.</li>
	<li>Tabulate the descriptive statistics and display them as Mean &#177; Standard Error.</li>
	<li>Analyze the behavioral performance [in the open field grid (step 2.2), ladder (step 2.3), and grip strength testing (step 2.4)] at each weekly time point to compare the control vs. implanted groups using a two-sample t-test. Consider each weekly time point an independent measure.</li>
	<li>Quantify the longitudinal performance using a mixed effect linear model. The week and the group are fixed factors and an experimental animal is nested within the group as a random effect. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) is used to determine the factor effect with a significance level of p &#60; 0.05.</li>
	<li>Compare the ladder performance with immunoglobin G (IgG) intensity using a linear regression analysis. Calculate the correlation coefficient by a Pearson&#39;s method.</li>
</ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

The protocol outlined here has been used to effectively and reproducibly measure both fine and gross motor deficit in a model of rodent brain injury. Additionally, it allows for the correlation of fine motor behavior to histological outcomes following a microelectrode implantation in the motor cortex. The methods are easy to follow, inexpensive to set up, and can be modified to fit a researcher&#39;s individual needs. Further, the behavior testing does not cause great stress or pain to the animals; rather, the researcher...

Intracortical microelectrodes were originally used to map the circuitry of the brain, and have developed into a valuable tool to enable the detection of motor intentions which can be used to produce functional outputs1. Detected functional outputs can offer individuals suffering from spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or other movement-limiting conditions the control of a computer cursor2,3 or robotic arm4,5,6, or restore function to their own disabled limb7. Therefore, intracortical microelectrode technology has emerged as a promising and quickly growing field8.
Due to the successes seen in the field, clinical studies are underway to improve and better understand the possibilities of BMI technology5,9,10. By realizing the full potential of communication with neurons in the brain, the rehabilitation applications are perceived as limitless8. Although there is great optimism for the future of intracortical microelectrode technology, it is also well-known that microelectrodes eventually fail11, possibly due to an acute neuroinflammatory response following implantation. The implantation of a foreign material in the brain results in immediate damage to the surrounding tissue and leads to further damage caused by the neuroinflammatory response that varies depending on properties of the implant12. In addition, an implant&#160;in the brain can cause a microlesion effect: a reduction in glucose metabolism thought to be caused by acute edema and hemorrhage due to the device insertion13. Furthermore, the signal quality and the length of time that useful signals can be recorded are inconsistent, regardless of the animal model11,14,15,16. Several studies have demonstrated the connection between neuroinflammation and microelectrode performance17,18,19. Therefore, the consensus of the community is that the inflammatory response of the neural tissue that surrounds the microelectrodes, at least in part, compromises electrode reliability.
Many studies have examined local inflammation11,20,21,22 or explored methods to reduce the damage to the brain caused by insertion11,23,24,25, with a goal of improving the recording performance over time14,26. Additionally, we have recently shown that an iatrogenic injury caused by a microelectrode insertion in the motor cortex of rats causes an immediate and lasting fine motor deficit27. Therefore, the purpose of the protocols presented here is to give researchers a quantitative method to assess possible motor deficits as a result of brain trauma following the implantation and persistent presence of intracortical devices (microelectrodes in the case of this manuscript). The behavior tests described here were designed to tease out both gross and fine motor function impairments, and can be used in many models of brain injury. These methods are straightforward, reproducible, and can easily be implemented in a rodent model. Further, the methods presented here allow for a correlation of motor behavior to histological outcomes, a benefit that until recently, the authors have not seen published in the BMI field. Finally, as these methods were designed to test fine motor function28, the gross motor function29, and stress and anxiety behavior29,30, the methods presented here can also be implemented into a variety of head injury models where the researchers want to rule out (or in) any motor function deficits.

<table><tbody><tr><td>Sprague Dawley rats, male, 201-225g</td><td>Charles River</td><td>CD</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Compac5 anesthesia system</td><td>Vetequip</td><td>901812</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Electric trimmers</td><td>Wahl</td><td>9918-6171</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Stereotaxic frame</td><td>David Kopf Instruments</td><td>1760</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Gaymar heated water pad and pump</td><td>Braintree Scientific Inc</td><td>&amp;nbsp;TP-700</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Vetbond tissue adhesive</td><td>3M</td><td>07-805-5031</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Dental drill</td><td>Pearson Dental</td><td>O60-0045</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Dura pick</td><td>Fine Science Tools</td><td>10064-14</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Silicon shank microelectrode</td><td>Made in-house at Cleveland VA Medical Center</td><td>N/A</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>KwikCast silicone elastomer</td><td>World Precision Instruments</td><td>KWIK-CAST</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Teets dental cement&amp;nbsp;</td><td>A-M Systems</td><td>525000</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Webcam HD Pro c920</td><td>Logitec</td><td>960-000764</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Grip strength meter</td><td>Harvard Apparatus</td><td>565084</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Minitab 17 statistical software</td><td>Minitab Inc</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Open field grid test</td><td>Made in-house at Case Western Reserve University</td><td>N/A</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ladder test</td><td>Made in-house at Case Western Reserve University</td><td>N/A</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Rabbit anti rat IgG antibody</td><td>Bio-Rad</td><td>618501</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

rodent behavioral testing to assess functional deficits caused by microelectrode implantation in the rat motor cortex

Medical devices implanted in the brain hold tremendous potential. As part of a Brain Machine Interface (BMI) system, intracortical microelectrodes demonstrate the ability to record action potentials from individual or small groups of neurons. Such recorded signals have successfully been used to allow patients to interface with or control&#160;computers, robotic limbs, and their own limbs. However, previous animal studies have shown that a microelectrode implantation in the brain not only damages the surrounding tissue but can also result in functional deficits. Here, we discuss a series of behavioral tests to quantify potential motor impairments following the implantation of intracortical microelectrodes into the motor cortex of a rat. The methods for open field grid, ladder crossing, and grip strength testing provide valuable information regarding the potential complications resulting from a microelectrode implantation. The results of the behavioral testing are correlated with endpoint histology, providing additional information on the pathological outcomes and impacts of this procedure on the adjacent tissue.

Using the methods presented here, a microelectrode implantation surgery in the motor cortex is completed following established procedures39,40,41,42, followed by open field grid testing to assess the gross motor function and ladder and grip strength testing to assess the fine motor function27. Motor function testing was completed 2x per w...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Rodent Behavioral Testing to Assess Functional Deficits Caused by Microelectrode Implantation in the Rat Motor Cortex at JoVE.com

Rodent Behavioral Testing to Assess Functional Deficits Caused by Microelectrode Implantation in the Rat Motor Cortex

We have shown that a microelectrode implantation in the motor cortex of rats causes immediate and lasting motor deficits. The methods proposed herein outline a microelectrode implantation surgery and three rodent behavioral tasks to elucidate potential changes in the fine or gross motor function due to implantation-caused damage to the motor cortex.

Medical devices implanted in the brain hold tremendous potential. As part of a Brain Machine Interface (BMI) system, intracortical microelectrodes ...

rodent-behavioral-testing-to-assess-functional-deficits-caused

Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

8.8K Views.  Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. We hebben aangetoond dat de innesteling van een micro-elektrode in de motorschors van ratten onmiddellijke en duurzame motor tekorten veroorzaakt. De methoden voorgesteld hierin overzicht een micro-elektrode implantatie chirurgie en drie knaagdier gedrags taken ophelderen van eventuele veranderingen in de fijne of grove motorische functie als gevolg van de implantatie-veroorzaakt schade aan de motorische cortex.

Video: Rodent Behavioral Testing to Assess Functional Deficits Caused by Microelectrode Implantation in the Rat Motor Cortex

Simultaneous fMRI and Electrophysiology in the Rodent Brain

To examine the neural basis of the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal, we have developed a rodent model in which functional MRI data and in vivo intracortical recording can be performed simultaneously. The combination of MRI and electrical recording is technically challenging because the electrodes used for recording distort the MRI images and the MRI acquisition induces noise in the electrical recording. To minimize the mutual interference of the two modalities, glass microelectrodes were used rather than metal and a noise removal algorithm was implemented for the electrophysiology data. In our studies, two microelectrodes were separately implanted in bilateral primary somatosensory cortices (SI) of the rat and fixed in place. One coronal slice covering the electrode tips was selected for functional MRI. Electrode shafts and fixation positions were not included in the image slice to avoid imaging artifacts. The removed scalp was replaced with toothpaste to reduce susceptibility mismatch and prevent Gibbs ringing artifacts in the images. The artifact structure induced in the electrical recordings by the rapidly-switching magnetic fields during image acquisition was characterized by averaging all cycles of scans for each run. The noise structure during imaging was then subtracted from original recordings. The denoised time courses were then used for further analysis in combination with the fMRI data. As an example, the simultaneous acquisition was used to determine the relationship between spontaneous fMRI BOLD signals and band-limited intracortical electrical activity. Simultaneous fMRI and electrophysiological recording in the rodent will provide a platform for many exciting applications in neuroscience in addition to elucidating the relationship between the fMRI BOLD signal and neuronal activity.

We have developed a method for simultaneous functional magnetic resonance imaging and electrophysiological recording in the rodent brain, providing a platform for the investigation of the relationship between neural activity and the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) MRI signal.

To examine the neural basis of the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal, we have developed a rodent model in ...

Neuroscience

A Novel Approach to Assess Motor Outcome of Deep Brain Stimulation Effects in the Hemiparkinsonian Rat: Staircase and Cylinder Test

Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus is an effective treatment option for Parkinson&#39;s disease. In our lab we established a protocol to screen different neurostimulation patterns in hemiparkinsonian (unilateral lesioned) rats. It consists of creating a unilateral Parkinson&#39;s lesion by injecting 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the right medial forebrain bundle, implanting chronic stimulation electrodes into the subthalamic nucleus and evaluating motor outcomes at the end of 24 hr periods of cable-bound external neurostimulation. The stimulation was conducted with constant current stimulation. The amplitude was set 20% below the individual threshold for side effects. The motor outcome evaluation was done by the assessment of spontaneous paw use in the cylinder test according to Shallert and by the assessment of skilled reaching in the staircase test according to Montoya. This protocol describes in detail the training in the staircase box, the cylinder test, as well as the use of both in hemiparkinsonian rats. The use of both tests is necessary, because the staircase test seems to be more sensitive for fine motor skill impairment and exhibits greater sensitivity to change during neurostimulation. The combination of the unilateral Parkinson model and the two behavioral tests allows the assessment of different stimulation parameters in a standardized way.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment option for Parkinson's disease. We established a study design to screen novel stimulation paradigms in rats. The protocol describes the use of the staircase test and cylinder test for motor outcome assessment in DBS treated hemiparkinsonian rats.

Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus is an effective treatment option for Parkinson&#39;s disease. In our lab we established a protocol to ...

Behavior

Detecting Behavioral Deficits in Rats After Traumatic Brain Injury

With the increasing incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in both civilian and military populations, TBI is now considered a chronic disease; however, few studies have investigated the long-term effects of injury in rodent models of TBI. Shown here are behavioral measures that are well-established in TBI research for times early after injury, such as two weeks, until two months. Some of these methods have previously been used at later times after injury, up to one year, but by very few laboratories. The methods demonstrated here are a short neurological assessment to test reflexes, a Beam-Balance to test balance, a Beam-Walk to test balance and motor coordination, and a working memory version of the Morris water maze that can be sensitive to deficits in reference memory. Male rats were handled and pre-trained to neurological, balance, and motor coordination tests prior to receiving parasagittal fluid percussion injury (FPI) or sham injury. Rats can be tested on the short neurological assessment (neuroscore), the beam-balance, and the Beam-Walk multiple times, while testing on the water maze can only be done once. This difference is because rats can remember the task, thus confounding the results if repeated testing is attempted in the same animal. When testing from one to three days after injury, significant differences are detected in all three non-cognitive tasks. However, differences in the Beam-Walk task were not detectable at later time points (after 3 months). Deficits were detected at 3 months in the Beam-Balance and at 6 months in the neuroscore. Deficits in working memory were detected out to 12 months after injury, and a deficit in a reference memory first appeared at 12 months. Thus, standard behavioral tests can be useful measures of persistent behavioral deficits after FPI.

The goal of the behavioral tests presented here is to detect functional deficits in rats after traumatic brain injury. Four specific tests are presented that detect deficits in behaviors to reflect the damage to specific brain areas at times extending to one year after injury.

With the increasing incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in both civilian and military populations, TBI is now considered a chronic disease; however, ...

A Wireless, Bidirectional Interface for In Vivo Recording and Stimulation of Neural Activity in Freely Behaving Rats

In vivo electrophysiology is a powerful technique to investigate the relationship between brain activity and behavior at a millisecond and micrometer scale. However, current methods mostly rely on tethered cable recordings or only use unidirectional systems, allowing either recording or stimulation of neural activity, but not at the same time or same target. Here, a new wireless, bidirectional device for simultaneous multichannel recording and stimulation of neural activity in freely behaving rats is described. The system operates through a single portable head stage that both transmits recorded activity and can be targeted in real-time for brain stimulation using a telemetry-based multichannel software. The head stage is equipped with a preamplifier and a rechargeable battery, allowing stable long-term recordings or stimulation for up to 1 h. Importantly, the head stage is compact, weighs 12 g (including battery) and thus has minimal impact on the animal&#180;s behavioral repertoire, making the method applicable to a broad set of behavioral tasks. Moreover, the method has the major advantage that the effect of brain stimulation on neural activity and behavior can be measured simultaneously, providing a tool to assess the causal relationships between specific brain activation patterns and behavior. This feature makes the method particularly valuable for the field of deep brain stimulation, allowing precise assessment, monitoring, and adjustment of stimulation parameters during long-term behavioral experiments. The applicability of the system has been validated using the inferior colliculus as a model structure.

A Wireless, Bidirectional Interface for In Vivo Recording and Stimulation of Neural Activity in Freely Behaving Rats

A wireless, bidirectional system for multi-channel neural recordings and stimulation in freely behaving rats is introduced. The system is light and compact, thus having minimal impact on the animal&#180;s behavioral repertoire. Moreover, this bidirectional system provides a sophisticated tool to assess causal relationships between brain activation patterns and behavior.

In vivo electrophysiology is a powerful technique to investigate the relationship between brain activity and behavior at a millisecond and micrometer ...

A Novel Single Animal Motor Function Tracking System Using Simple, Readily Available Software

We have recently demonstrated that implanting intracortical microelectrodes in the motor corteces of rats&#160;results in immediate and lasting motor deficits. Motor impairments were manually quantified through an open field grid test to measure the gross motor function and through a ladder test to measure the fine motor function. Here, we discuss a technique for the automated quantification of the video-recorded tests using our custom Capadona Behavioral Video Analysis System: Grid and Ladder Test, or BVAS. Leveraging simple and readily available coding software (see the Table of Materials), this program allows for the tracking of a single animal on both the open field grid and the ladder tests. In open field grid tracking, the code thresholds the video for intensity, tracks the position of the rat over the 3 min duration of the grid test, and analyzes the path. It then computes and returns measurements for the total distance traveled, the maximum velocity achieved, the number of left- and right-handed turns, and the total number of grid lines crossed by the rat. In ladder tracking, the code again thresholds the video for intensity, tracks the movement of the rat across the ladder, and returns calculated measurements including the time it took the rat to cross the ladder, the number of paw slips occurring below the plane of the ladder rungs, and the incidence of failures due to stagnation or reversals. We envision that the BVAS developed here can be employed for the analysis of motor function in a variety of applications, including many injury or disease models.

The current study aimed to automate the quantification of motor deficits in rats. The initial evaluation model assesses motor loss resulting from an intracortical microelectrode implantation in the motor cortex. We report on the development and use of a tracking algorithm using easily adaptable, simple, and readily available coding software.

We have recently demonstrated that implanting intracortical microelectrodes in the motor corteces of rats&#160;results in immediate and lasting motor ...

Simultaneous Monitoring of Wireless Electrophysiology and Memory Behavioral Test as a Tool to Study Hippocampal Neurogenesis

Brainwaves amplitude obtained from electroencephalography (EEG) has been well-recognized as a basis for cognitive capacity, memory, and learning on animals and humans. Adult neurogenesis mechanism is also linked to memory and learning improvement. Traditionally, researchers used to assess learning and memory parameters in rodent models by behavioral tasks. Therefore, the simultaneous monitoring of behavioral changes and EEG is particularly interesting in correlating data between brain activity and task-related behaviors. However, most of the equipment required to perform both studies are either complex, expensive, or uses a wired setup network that hinders the natural animals&#8217; movement. In this study, EEG was recorded with a wireless electrophysiology device along with the execution of a novel object recognition task (NORT). The animal&#8217;s behavior was monitored simultaneously by a video tracking system. Both recordings were analyzed offline by their timestamps which were synched to link EEG signals with the animal&#8217;s actions. Subjects consist of adult Wistar rats after medium-term environmental enrichment treatment. Six skull screw electrodes were fixed in pairs on both hemispheres over frontal, central, and parietal regions and were referenced to an electrode located posterior of the nasal bone. NORT protocol consists of exposing the animal to two identical objects for 10 min. After 2 h and 24 h, one of the objects was replaced with a novel one. Exploration time for each object was monitored by a behavioral tracking software (BTS) and EEG data recording. The analysis of the EEG synced with behavioral data consists of estimations of alpha and beta relative band power and comparisons between novel object recognition versus familiar object exploration, between three experimental stages. In this manuscript, we have discussed electrodes manufacturing process, epidural electrodes implantation surgery, environmental enrichment protocol, NORT protocol, BTS setup, EEG &#8211; BTS coupling for simultaneous monitoring in real-time, and EEG data analysis based on automatic events detection.

The protocol presented here provides information on the simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG) and behavioral assessment in real-time. We have discussed all steps involved in this protocol as an attractive solution for researchers in many fields of neuroscience, particularly in learning and memory areas.

Brainwaves amplitude obtained from electroencephalography (EEG) has been well-recognized as a basis for cognitive capacity, memory, and learning on ...

Gathering Self-Initiated Rat Behavioral Data to Characterize Post-Stroke Deficits

Behavioral testing in rat models is frequently utilized for diverse purposes, including psychological, biomedical, and behavioral research. Many traditional approaches involve individual, one-on-one testing sessions between a single researcher and each animal in an experiment. This setup can be very time consuming for the researcher, and their presence may impact the behavioral data in unwanted ways. Additionally, traditional caging for rat research imposes a lack of enrichment, exercise, and socialization that would normally be typical for the species, and this context may also skew the results of behavioral data. Overcoming these limitations may be worthwhile for several research applications, including the study of acquired brain injury. Here, an example method is presented for automatically training and testing individual rat behavior in a colony cage without the presence of humans. Radio frequency identification can be utilized to tailor sessions to the individual rat. The validation of this system occurred in the example context of measuring skilled forelimb motor performance before and after stroke. Traditional characteristics of post-stroke behavioral impairments and novel measures enabled by the system are measured, including success rate, various aspects of pull force, bout analysis, initiation rate and patterns, session duration, and circadian patterns. These variables can be collected automatically with few limitations; though the apparatus removes experimental control of exposure, timing and practice, the validation produced reasonable consistency in these variables from animal to animal.

A system for acquiring data from self-initiated individual behavior sessions within a social colony cage setting is presented. The efficacy of this system is demonstrated using an automated skilled reach assessment, enabling the characterization of post-stroke motor impairments, potential behavioral alterations related to motivation, circadian variations, and other innovative dependent variables.

Behavioral testing in rat models is frequently utilized for diverse purposes, including psychological, biomedical, and behavioral research. Many ...

Microelectrode Guided Implantation of Electrodes into the Subthalamic Nucleus of Rats for Long-term Deep Brain Stimulation

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a widely used and effective therapy for several neurologic disorders, such as idiopathic Parkinson&#8217;s disease, dystonia or tremor. DBS is based on the delivery of electrical stimuli to specific deep anatomic structures of the central nervous system. However, the mechanisms underlying the effect of DBS remain enigmatic. This has led to an interest in investigating the impact of DBS in animal models, especially in rats. As DBS is a long-term therapy, research should be focused on molecular-genetic changes of neural circuits that occur several weeks after DBS. Long-term DBS in rats is challenging because the rats move around in their cage, which causes problems in keeping in place the wire leading from the head of the animal to the stimulator. Furthermore, target structures for stimulation in the rat brain are small and therefore electrodes cannot easily be placed at the required position. Thus, a set-up for long-lasting stimulation of rats using platinum/iridium electrodes with an impedance of about 1 M&#937; was developed for this study. An electrode with these specifications allows for not only adequate stimulation but also recording of deep brain structures to identify the target area for DBS. In our set-up, an electrode with a plug for the wire was embedded in dental cement with four anchoring screws secured onto the skull. The wire from the plug to the stimulator was protected by a stainless-steel spring. A swivel was connected to the circuit to prevent the wire from becoming tangled. Overall, this stimulation set-up offers a high degree of free mobility for the rat and enables the head plug, as well as the wire connection between the plug and the stimulator, to retain long-lasting strength.

A method for implanting electrodes into the subthalamic nucleus (STN) of rats is described. Better localization of the STN was achieved by using a microrecording system. Furthermore, a stimulation set-up is presented that is characterized by long-lasting connections between the head of the animal and the stimulator.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a widely used and effective therapy for several neurologic disorders, such as idiopathic Parkinson&#8217;s disease, ...

Establishment of Acute Pontine Infarction in Rats by Electrical Stimulation

Pontine infarction is the most common stroke subtype in the posterior circulation, while there lacks a rodent model mimicking pontine infarction. Provided here is a protocol for successfully establishing a rat model of acute pontine infarction. Rats weighing about 250 g are used, and a probe with an insulated sheath is injected into the pons using a stereotaxic apparatus. A lesion is produced by the electrical stimulation with a single pulse. The Longa score, Berderson score, and beam balance test are used to assess neurological deficits. Additionally, the adhesive-removal somatosensory test is used to determine sensorimotor function, and the limb placement test is used to evaluate proprioception. MRI scans are then used to assess the infarction in vivo, and TTC staining is used to confirm the infarction in vitro. Here, a successful infarction is identified that is located in the anterolateral basis of the rostral pons. In conclusion, a new method is described to establish an acute pontine infarction rat model.

Presented here is a protocol for establishing acute pontine infarction in a rat model via electrical stimulation with a single pulse.

Pontine infarction is the most common stroke subtype in the posterior circulation, while there lacks a rodent model mimicking pontine infarction. Provided ...

Implanting a Wireless Bidirectional Microelectrode System in a Rat Brain

Source: Melo-Thomas, L., et al., <a href="https://app.jove.com/v/56299">A Wireless, Bidirectional Interface for In Vivo Recording and Stimulation of Neural Activity in Freely Behaving Rats.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (2017)
The video demonstrates a procedure for implanting a wireless bidirectional multichannel electrode unit into a rat brain to record and stimulate multichannel neural networks.

All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board.
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Rodent Behavioral Testing to Assess Functional Deficits Caused by Microelectrode Implantation in the Rat Motor Cortex

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