Name: Delivering Intrathecal Injections to Neonatal Mice
Uploaded: 2024-03-08T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Delivering Intrathecal Injections to Neonatal Mice at JoVE.com

delivering intrathecal injections to neonatal mice

A Comprehensive Protocol for Delivering Intrathecal Injections in Neonatal Mice

Intrathecal (IT) injection is a common clinical procedure used to administer medications, collect cerebrospinal fluid, and maintain intracranial pressure in both pediatric and adult patients in clinics1,2. The administration of medications via intrathecal injection is an effective approach for increasing medication concentrations in the central nervous system (CNS) while minimizing systemic exposure. Consequently, this method enhances therapeutic efficacy and reduces side effects, especially for temperature-sensitive and short half-life drugs3.
In preclinical studies testing new drugs and treatments using rodent models, it is imperative to employ a reliable method of drug administration that offers greater precision and result reproducibility4,5. For preclinical studies evaluating new treatments for neurogenetic and neurodevelopmental disorders, early treatment is crucial for initial proof-of-concept studies because earlier interventions are typically predicted to yield more favorable outcomes6,7,8.
Compared to conventional intracerebroventricular (ICV) injections, IT injections carry significantly lower risks since they obviate the need for direct penetration through the cerebral cortex. This advantage substantially reduces the potential damage to regional cortical tissue and surrounding nerves. Furthermore, IT injections allow for at least a fivefold increase in the administrable volume of medications through a single injection, greatly enhancing the feasibility of repeated administrations. However, due to the small size and fragile nature of newborn mice, performing intrathecal injections in newborn pups is technically challenging and requires specialized techniques, equipment, and meticulous handling.
This article provides a detailed protocol with step-by-step instructions for performing intrathecal injections in P1 newborn pups. The key considerations and good laboratory practices are emphasized here to ensure the consistency of administration and the safety and well-being of the animals during the procedure. By following this protocol, researchers can confidently conduct experiments with precision and reproducibility while minimizing any potential risks or discomfort to the animals.

Author Spotlight: Intrathecal Injection &#8211; An Efficient and Reliable Delivery Method to Test the Efficacy of Gene Editing in Neonatal Mouse Brains

Intrathecal Injection of Newborn Mouse for Genome Editing and Drug Delivery

Our group employs an interdisciplinary approach involving genomic discovery and functional modeling to study genetics and epigenetic basis of neurodevelopmental disorder. We perform molecular, neurophysiological, and neurobehavioral analysis using patient-induced pluripotent stem cell, or iPSC, in the mutant mice to dissecting the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorder. We aim to develop a gene-editing-based treatment for this disease.Intracerebroventricular, also called ICV, injection is only method to directly deliver treatment to the central nervous system of neonatal mice. However, it has to penetrate through the cerebral cortex. The intrathecal, IT, injection is a commonly employed procedure in clinics, serving as an effective means to administer treatments directly into the central nervous system.However, intrathecal injection in neonatal pups can pose significant technical challenges due to their small size and fragile nature. We are trying to develop an efficient and reliable delivery method to test the efficacy and the gene editing in mouse brain that is non-viral and non-nanoparticle. Compared to conventional ICV injection, intrathecal injection presents a significantly lower risk, as it avoid the need for directly penetration through the cerebral cortex.This add advantage to minimize potential damage to regional cortical tissue and the surrounding nerves. Intrathecal injections also enable at least a fivefold increase in the administrable volume of medications through a single injection and greatly enhance the feasibility of repeated administrations.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Delivering Intrathecal Injections to Neonatal Mice at JoVE.com

Delivering Intrathecal Injections to Neonatal Mice

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

Intrathecal injection is a commonly employed procedure in both pediatric and adult clinics, serving as an effective means to administer medications and ...