Name: operative technique and nuances for the stereoelectroencephalographic (seeg) methodology utilizing a robotic stereotactic guidance system
Uploaded: 2023-06-09T13:30:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Operative Technique and Nuances for the Stereoelectroencephalographic SEEG Methodology Utilizing a Robotic Stereotactic Guidance System at JoVE.com

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Alle apparaten die hierin worden gebruikt, zijn door de FDA goedgekeurd en het protocol dat hierin is opgenomen, vormt de zorgstandaard in onze instelling. Als zodanig was er geen IRB-goedkeuring nodig voor de detaillering van dit protocol.
1. Pre-implantatiefase
<ol><li>Maak een anatamo-elektroklinische (AEC) hypothese. OPMERKING: Het creëren van de AEC-hypothese is afhankelijk van de coördinatie van meerdere niet-invasieve technieken voor het identificeren van de potentiële EZ. Een t...

<ol>
	<li>World Health Organization. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Epilepsy. , (2018).</li><li>Talairach, J., Bancaud, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stereotaxic+approach+to+epilepsy.">Stereotaxic approach to epilepsy.</a> Progress in neurological surgery. 5, 297-354 (1973).</li><li>Bancaud, J., Talairach, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Functional+organization+of+the+supplementary+motor+area.+Data+obtained+by+stereo-E.E.G.">Functional organization of the supplementary motor area. Data obtained by stereo-E.E.G.</a> Neurochirurgie. 13, 343-356 (1967).</li><li>Jehi, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Epileptogenic+Zone:+Concept+and+Definition.">The Epileptogenic Zone: Concept and Definition.</a> Epilepsy Currents. 18 (1), 12-16 (2018).</li><li>Nowell, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+novel+method+for+implementation+of+frameless+StereoEEG+in+epilepsy+surgery.">A novel method for implementation of frameless StereoEEG in epilepsy surgery.</a> Operative Neurosurgery. 10 (4), 525-534 (2014).</li><li>Abel, T. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Frameless+robot-assisted+stereoelectroencephalography+in+children:+technical+aspects+and+comparison+with+Talairach+frame+technique.">Frameless robot-assisted stereoelectroencephalography in children: technical aspects and comparison with Talairach frame technique.</a> Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics. 1, 1-10 (2018).</li><li>van der Loo, L. E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Methodology,+outcome,+safety+and+in+vivo+accuracy+in+traditional+frame-based+stereoelectroencephalography.">Methodology, outcome, safety and in vivo accuracy in traditional frame-based stereoelectroencephalography.</a> Acta neurochirurgica. 159 (9), 1733-1746 (2017).</li><li>Gonz&#225;lez-Mart&#237;nez, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Technique,+results,+and+complications+related+to+robot-assisted+stereoelectroencephalography.">Technique, results, and complications related to robot-assisted stereoelectroencephalography.</a> Neurosurgery. 78 (2), 169-180 (2015).</li><li>Mullin, J. P., Smithason, S., Gonzalez-Martinez, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stereo-electro-encephalo-graphy+(SEEG)+with+robotic+assistance+in+the+presurgical+evaluation+of+medical+refractory+epilepsy:+a+technical+note.">Stereo-electro-encephalo-graphy (SEEG) with robotic assistance in the presurgical evaluation of medical refractory epilepsy: a technical note.</a> Journal of visualized experiments. , 112 (2016).</li><li>Jones, J. C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Techniques+for+placement+of+stereotactic+electroencephalographic+depth+electrodes:+Comparison+of+implantation+and+tracking+accuracies+in+a+cadaveric+human+study.">Techniques for placement of stereotactic electroencephalographic depth electrodes: Comparison of implantation and tracking accuracies in a cadaveric human study.</a> Epilepsia. 59 (9), 1667-1675 (2018).</li><li>Mullin, J. P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Is+SEEG+safe?+A+systematic+review+and+meta-analysis+of+stereo-electroencephalography-related+complications.">Is SEEG safe? A systematic review and meta-analysis of stereo-electroencephalography-related complications.</a> Epilepsia. 57 (3), 386-401 (2016).</li><li>Serletis, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+stereotactic+approach+for+mapping+epileptic+networks:+a+prospective+study+of+200+patients.">The stereotactic approach for mapping epileptic networks: a prospective study of 200 patients.</a> Journal of Neurosurgery. 121, 1239-1246 (2014).</li><li>Taussig, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stereo-electroencephalography+(SEEG)+in+65+children:+an+effective+and+safe+diagnostic+method+for+pre-surgical+diagnosis,+independent+of+age.">Stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) in 65 children: an effective and safe diagnostic method for pre-surgical diagnosis, independent of age.</a> Epileptic Disorders. 16, 280-295 (2014).</li><li>Munyon, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+3-dimensional+grid:+a+novel+approach+to+stereoelectroencephalography.">The 3-dimensional grid: a novel approach to stereoelectroencephalography.</a> Neurosurgery. 11, 127-133 (2015).</li><li>Ortler, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Frame-based+vs+frameless+placement+of+intrahippocampal+depth+electrodes+in+patients+with+refractory+epilepsy:+a+comparative+in+vivo+(application)+study.">Frame-based vs frameless placement of intrahippocampal depth electrodes in patients with refractory epilepsy: a comparative in vivo (application) study.</a> Neurosurgery. 68, 881-887 (2011).</li></ol>

Het nauwkeurig definiëren van de AEC-hypothese in combinatie met bijzonder gedetailleerde aandacht voor het ontwerp van de implantatiestrategie is uiteindelijk wat het succes van de SEEG-methodologie voor elke individuele patiënt zal bepalen. Als zodanig is een zorgvuldige pre-chirurgische planning van de procedure van cruciaal belang en zorgt voor een relatief eenvoudige operatie met een laag risico. Over het algemeen is het het beste om de trajecten orthogonaal op de sagittale middellijn te oriënteren, waardoor in d...

Medisch refractaire epilepsie (MRE) treft naar schatting vijftien miljoen mensen wereldwijd1. Veel van deze patiënten kunnen daarom heel goed worden behandeld met een operatie. Epilepsiechirurgie is afhankelijk van de precieze lokalisatie van de getheoretiseerde epileptogene zone (EZ) om chirurgische resecties te begeleiden. Jean Tailarach en Jean Bancaud ontwikkelden de stereo-elektro-encefalografie (SEEG) methodologie in de jaren 1950 als een methode voor het nauwkeuriger lokaliseren van de EZ op basis van de in situ elektrofysiologie van het epileptische brein in zowel corticale als diepe structuren 2,3. Pas onlangs is de SEEG-methodologie echter in Noord-Amerika in de smaak gevallen4.
Verschillende technieken en technologieën worden over de hele wereld gebruikt als onderdeel van de SEEG-methodologie, gebaseerd op de klinische ervaring van verschillende professionals en epilepsiecentra 5,6,7. Onlangs is er echter een evolutie geweest van de chirurgische technieken die worden gebruikt om SEEG-elektroden te implanteren, buiten de klassieke handmatige headframe-gebaseerde strategieën. Met name het gebruik van robotische stereotactische geleidingssystemen is een nauwkeurig alternatief gebleken voor SEEG-implantatie8. Robotimplantatie kan veilig en effectief worden gebruikt door mensen met chirurgische expertise die op zoek zijn naar een snellere, meer geautomatiseerde benadering van elektrode-implantatie.
Hierin worden de specifieke stappen besproken die worden genomen bij het gebruik van een robotisch stereotactisch geleidingssysteem voor de implantatie van SEEG-elektroden. Hoewel de SEEG-methodologie al eerder is beschreven, wordt hierbij bijzondere aandacht besteed aan de chirurgische techniek die wordt gebruikt bij het gebruik van de robot9.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>2 mm drill bit</td>
			<td>DIXI</td>
			<td>KIP-ACS-510</td>
			<td>For opening the cranium</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Coagulation Electrode Dura</td>
			<td>DIXI</td>
			<td>KIP-ACS-600</td>
			<td>for opening and coagulating the dura</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cordless driver</td>
			<td>Stryker</td>
			<td>4405-000-000</td>
			<td>to drive the drill bit</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Leksell Coordinate Frame G</td>
			<td>Elekta</td>
			<td>14611</td>
			<td>For head fixation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microdeep Depth Electrode</td>
			<td>DIXI</td>
			<td>D08-**AM</td>
			<td>SEEG electrodes that are implanted, complete with: guide bolt and stylet, as described in manuscript.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ROSA</td>
			<td>Medtech</td>
			<td>n/a</td>
			<td>stereotactic guidance system with robotic arm, complete with: robotic arm, calibration tool, registration laser, head frame attachment, and software, as described in the manuscript.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stylet</td>
			<td>DIXI</td>
			<td>ACS-770S-10</td>
			<td>for creating a path through the parenchyma for the electrode</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

operative technique and nuances for the stereoelectroencephalographic (seeg) methodology utilizing a robotic stereotactic guidance system

De SEEG-methodologie heeft het afgelopen decennium in Noord-Amerika aan populariteit gewonnen als een middel om de epileptogene zone (EZ) voorafgaand aan epilepsiechirurgie te lokaliseren. Onlangs is de toepassing van een robotisch stereotactisch geleidingssysteem voor implantatie van SEEG-elektroden populairder geworden in veel epilepsiecentra. De techniek voor het gebruik van de robot vereist extreme precisie in de pre-chirurgische planningsfase en vervolgens wordt de techniek gestroomlijnd tijdens het operatieve deel van de methodologie, terwijl de robot en de chirurg samenwerken om de elektroden te implanteren. Hierin is een gedetailleerde nauwkeurige operatieve methodologie van het gebruik van de robot om implantatie van SEEG-elektroden te begeleiden. Een belangrijke beperking van de procedure, namelijk de zware afhankelijkheid van het vermogen om de patiënt te registreren voor een preoperatief volumetrisch magnetisch resonantiebeeld (MRI), wordt ook besproken. Over het algemeen is aangetoond dat deze procedure een laag morbiditeitscijfer en een extreem laag sterftecijfer heeft. Het gebruik van een robotisch stereotactisch geleidingssysteem voor de implantatie van SEEG-elektroden is een efficiënt, snel, veilig en nauwkeurig alternatief voor conventionele handmatige implantatiestrategieën.

De absolute indicator van succes na gebruik van de SEEG-methodologie is aanvalsvrijheid voor de patiënt, die uiteindelijk volgt op succesvolle elektrode-implantaties, succesvolle elektrofysiologische opnames en succesvolle resectie van de EZ. Een dergelijk geval is weergegeven in figuur 1. Panelen A en B van figuur 1 tonen twee tests (respectievelijk computertomografie met enkele positronemissie (SPECT) en magneto-elektro-encefa...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Operative Technique and Nuances for the Stereoelectroencephalographic SEEG Methodology Utilizing a Robotic Stereotactic Guidance System at JoVE.com

Operative Technique and Nuances for the Stereoelectroencephalographic SEEG Methodology Utilizing a Robotic Stereotactic Guidance System

De SEEG-methodologie wordt vereenvoudigd en sneller gemaakt met een stereotactische robot. Er moet zorgvuldig aandacht worden besteed aan de registratie van de preoperatieve volumetrische MRI aan de patiënt voorafgaand aan het gebruik van de robot op de OK. De robot stroomlijnt de procedure, wat leidt tot kortere operatietijden en nauwkeurige implantaties.

Operatieve techniek en nuances voor de stereo-elektro-encefalografische (SEEG) methodologie met behulp van een robotisch stereotactisch geleidingssysteem

The SEEG methodology has gained favor in North America over the last decade as a means of localizing the epileptogenic zone (EZ) prior to epilepsy ...

SEEG, ook bekend als stereo-elektro-encefalografie, is een minimaal invasieve methode voor verkenning van het menselijk brein die rekening houdt met het driedimensionale aspect van de epileptiforme activiteit door de anatomo-elektroklinische correlaties te analyseren. Het belangrijkste voordeel van deze methode is om epileptiforme ontladingen in de hersenen op een minimaal invasieve manier in kaart te brengen. Voordat u met de SEEG-procedure begint, helpt u de patiënt in rugligging.Met de patiënt onder algemene anesthesie, fixeert u het hoofd van de patiënt in een driepuntsfixatiehouder en plaatst u de robot aan het hoofd van de patiënt zodanig dat de afstand tussen de basis van de robotarm en het middelpunt van de schedel 70 centimeter is. Vergrendel de robot in positie en bevestig de driepuntskophouder aan de robot. Met behulp van het semi-automatische lasergebaseerde gezichtsherkenningssysteem registreert u de pre-operatieve volumetrische MRI met de patiënt, volgens alle aanwijzingen van de robot.Gebruik het kalibratiegereedschap voor de ingestelde afstand om de laser te kalibreren en gebruik de laser om handmatig de vooraf ingestelde anatomische gezichtsoriëntatiepunten te selecteren. Nadat de robot automatisch het gezichtsoppervlak heeft gescand, correleert u aanvullende onafhankelijke oppervlaktemarkeringen met de geregistreerde MRI om de nauwkeurigheid van de registratie te bevestigen. Voor boutimplantatie drapeer u de patiënt op standaard steriele wijze en drapeer u de robotwerkarm met steriel plastic.Bevestig een boorplatform met een 2,5 millimeter werkende canule aan de robotarm en selecteer het gewenste traject voor elke bout die op het touchscreen van de robot moet worden geïmplanteerd. Stap op het robotpedaal om de beweging van de robotarm naar het eerste traject te initiëren. Wanneer de juiste positie is bereikt, wordt de arm automatisch vergrendeld door de robot.Steek een boor van twee millimeter door de werkcanule en gebruik deze om een gaatje te maken door de hele dikte van de schedel. Open de dura met een geïsoleerde durale perforator met behulp van monopolaire cautery op een lage stand. Schroef de geleidingsbout stevig in elk gaatje en gebruik een steriele liniaal om de afstand van het boorplatform tot de geleidebout te meten.Trek deze gemeten afstand af van de waarde van de afstand tussen platform en doel die wordt gebruikt bij het plannen van het traject en noteer het resultaat voor later gebruik als de uiteindelijke lengte van de geïmplanteerde elektrode. Meet en noteer de uiteindelijke lengte van de elektrode en controleer of deze overeenkomt met de nieuw berekende lengte voor de bout. Geef vervolgens de elektrode en de bout-bijpassende labels om verwarring tijdens de elektrode-implantatie te voorkomen.Wanneer alle bouten zijn geïmplanteerd, vervangt u chirurgische handschoenen en opent u een nieuw steriel veld. Steek een stylet met een diameter van twee millimeter door een geleidingsbout op de beoogde diepte van de elektrode, zoals berekend na implantatie van de bijpassende bout. Controleer of de te implanteren elektrode overeenkomt met het etiket van de geïmplanteerde geleidingsbout en verwijder de stylet.Steek de elektrode onmiddellijk door de bout en schroef de elektrode in de bout voor fixatie, met behulp van fluoroscopische röntgenfoto's om de juiste plaatsing van elke elektrode te bevestigen nadat deze is geïmplanteerd. Wanneer alle elektroden zijn geïmplanteerd, gebruikt u een standaard hoofdverbandtechniek om het hoofd van de patiënt te wikkelen. Hier wordt een geschikte operatiekamer getoond met een succesvolle boutplaatsing en een succesvolle elektrode-implantatie voor de SEEG-methodologie.Single positron emissie computertomografie en magnetoelectroencephalografie tests helpen bij het creëren van de anatomoelectroklinische hypothese. In deze representatieve beelden werd een elektrode geplaatst in het frontale operculaire en dorsale insulaire gebied. Hier wordt een resectie van het rechter operculum en insula in een postoperatieve T1 MRI getoond.De SEEG-methode maakt het driedimensionaal in kaart brengen van de epileptiforme activiteit mogelijk door een minimaal invasieve techniek toe te passen om diepte-elektroden in het menselijk brein te plaatsen.

operative-technique-nuances-for-stereoelectroencephalographic-seeg

Research

JoVE Journal

Behavior

Operative Technique and Nuances for the Stereoelectroencephalographic (SEEG) Methodology Utilizing a Robotic Stereotactic Guidance System

Stereotactic Injection of MicroRNA-expressing Lentiviruses to the Mouse Hippocampus CA1 Region and Assessment of the Behavioral Outcome

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory single-stranded RNA molecules around 22 nucleotides long that may each target numerous mRNA transcripts and dim an entire gene expression pathway by inducing destruction and/or inhibiting translation of these targets. Several miRNAs play key roles in maintaining neuronal structure and function and in higher-level brain functions, and methods are sought for manipulating their levels for exploring these functions. Here, we present a direct in vivo method for examining the cognitive consequences of enforced miRNAs excess in mice by stereotactic injection of miRNA-encoding virus particles. Specifically, the current protocol involves injection into the hippocampal CA1 region, which contributes to mammalian memory consolidation, learning, and stress responses, and offers a convenient injection site. The coordinates are measured according to the mouse bregma and virus perfusion is digitally controlled and kept very slow. After injection, the surgery wound is sealed and the animals recover. Lentiviruses encoding silencers of the corresponding mRNA targets serve to implicate the specific miRNA/target interaction responsible for the observed effect, with na&iuml;ve mice, mice injected with saline and mice injected with "empty" lentivirus vectors as controls. One month post-injection, the animals are examined in the Morris Water Maze (MWM) for assessing their navigation learning and memory abilities. The MWM is a round tank filled with colored water with a small platform submerged 1 cm below the water surface. Steady visual cues around the tank allow for spatial navigation (sound and the earth's magnetic field may also assist the animals in navigating). Video camera monitoring enables measuring the route of swim and the time to find and amount the platform. The mouse is first taught that mounting the hidden platform offers an escape from the enforced swimming; it is then tested for using this escape and finally, the platform is removed and probe tests examine if the mouse remembers its previous location. Repeated tests over several consecutive days highlight improved performance of tested mice at shorter latencies to find and mount the platform, and as more direct routes to reach the platform or its location. Failure to show such improvement represents impaired learning and memory and/or anxiety, which may then be tested specifically (e.g. in the elevated plus maze). This approach enables validation of specific miRNAs and target transcripts in the studied cognitive and/or stress-related processes.

MicroRNAs have significant roles in brain structure and function. Here we describe a method to enforce hippocampal miRNA over-expression using stereotactic injection of an engineered miRNA-expressing lentivirus. This approach can serve as a relatively rapid way to assess the in vivo effects of over-expressed miRNAs in specific brain regions.

Stereotactische injectie van MicroRNA expressie Lentivirussen om de muis Hippocampus CA1 regio en Evaluatie van de Behavioral Outcome

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory single-stranded RNA molecules around 22 nucleotides long that may each target numerous mRNA transcripts and dim an ...

Contextual and Cued Fear Conditioning Test Using a Video Analyzing System in Mice

The contextual and cued fear conditioning test is one of the behavioral tests that assesses the ability of mice to learn and remember an association between environmental cues and aversive experiences. In this test, mice are placed into a conditioning chamber and are given parings of a conditioned stimulus (an auditory cue) and an aversive unconditioned stimulus (an electric footshock). After a delay time, the mice are exposed to the same conditioning chamber and a differently shaped chamber with presentation of the auditory cue. Freezing behavior during the test is measured as an index of fear memory. To analyze the behavior automatically, we have developed a video analyzing system using the ImageFZ application software program, which is available as a free download at http://www.mouse-phenotype.org/. Here, to show the details of our protocol, we demonstrate our procedure for the contextual and cued fear conditioning test in C57BL/6J mice using the ImageFZ system. In addition, we validated our protocol and the video analyzing system performance by comparing freezing time measured by the ImageFZ system or a photobeam-based computer measurement system with that scored by a human observer. As shown in our representative results, the data obtained by ImageFZ were similar to those analyzed by a human observer, indicating that the behavioral analysis using the ImageFZ system is highly reliable. The present movie article provides detailed information regarding the test procedures and will promote understanding of the experimental situation.

This article presents a protocol for a contextual and cued fear conditioning test using a video analyzing system to assess fear learning and memory in mice.

Contextuele en cued Fear Conditioning Test Met behulp van een video analysesysteem in Muizen

The contextual and cued fear conditioning test is one of the behavioral tests that assesses the ability of mice to learn and remember an association ...

Assessment of Murine Exercise Endurance Without the Use of a Shock Grid: An Alternative to Forced Exercise

Using laboratory mouse models, the molecular pathways responsible for the metabolic benefits of endurance exercise are beginning to be defined. The most common method for assessing exercise endurance in mice utilizes forced running on a motorized treadmill equipped with a shock grid. Animals who quit running are pushed by the moving treadmill belt onto a grid that delivers an electric foot shock; to escape the negative stimulus, the mice return to running on the belt. However, avoidance behavior and psychological stress due to use of a shock apparatus can interfere with quantitation of running endurance, as well as confound measurements of postexercise serum hormone and cytokine levels. Here, we demonstrate and validate a refined method to measure running endurance in na&#239;ve C57BL/6 laboratory mice on a motorized treadmill without utilizing a shock grid. When mice are preacclimated to the treadmill, they run voluntarily with gait speeds specific to each mouse. Use of the shock grid is replaced by gentle encouragement by a human operator using a tongue depressor, coupled with sensitivity to the voluntary willingness to run on the part of the mouse. Clear endpoints for quantifying running time-to-exhaustion for each mouse are defined and reflected in behavioral signs of exhaustion such as splayed posture and labored breathing. This method is a humane refinement which also decreases the confounding effects of stress on experimental parameters.

A method to assess exercise endurance in laboratory mice without the use of a shock grid is demonstrated. This method is a humane refinement that can decrease the confounding effects of stress on experimental parameters.

Beoordeling van Muriene Oefening Endurance zonder het gebruik van een Shock Grid: Een alternatief voor Forced Exercise

Using laboratory mouse models, the molecular pathways responsible for the metabolic benefits of endurance exercise are beginning to be defined. The most ...

Practical Methodology of Cognitive Tasks Within a Navigational Assessment

This paper describes an approach for measuring navigation accuracy relative to cognitive skills. The methodology behind the assessment will thus be clearly outlined in a step-by-step manner. Navigational skills are important when trying to find symbols within a speech-generating device (SGD) that has a dynamic screen and taxonomical organization. The following skills have been found to impact children&#8217;s ability to find symbols when navigating within the levels of an SGD: sustained attention, categorization, cognitive flexibility, and fluid reasoning1,2. According to past studies, working memory was not correlated with navigation1,2.
The materials needed for this method include a computerized tablet, an augmentative and alternative communication application, a booklet of symbols, and the Leiter International Performance Scale-Revised (Leiter-R)3. This method has been used in two previous studies. Robillard, Mayer-Crittenden, Roy-Charland, Minor-Corriveau and B&#233;langer1 assessed typically developing children, while Rondeau, Robillard and Roy-Charland2 assessed children and adolescents with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. The direct observation of this method will facilitate the replication of this study for researchers. It will also help clinicians that work with children who have complex communication needs to determine the children&#8217;s ability to navigate an SGD with taxonomical categorization.

Children who have complex communication needs can benefit from the use of a speech-generating device (SGD). Cognitive skills were identified as having an impact on the ability to navigate between levels of SGDs. This protocol describes the steps needed for Speech-language Pathologists to assess cognitive skills and navigational abilities.

Praktische Methodologie van cognitieve taken binnen een navigatie Assessment

This paper describes an approach for measuring navigation accuracy relative to cognitive skills. The methodology behind the assessment will thus be ...

Applying Stereotactic Injection Technique to Study Genetic Effects on Animal Behaviors

Stereotactic injection is a useful technique to deliver high titer lentiviruses to targeted brain areas in mice. Lentiviruses can either overexpress or knockdown gene expression in a relatively focused region without significant damage to the brain tissue. After recovery, the injected mouse can be tested on various behavioral tasks such as the Open Field Test (OFT) and the Forced Swim Test (FST). The OFT is designed to assess locomotion and the anxious phenotype in mice by measuring the amount of time that a mouse spends in the center of a novel open field. A more anxious mouse will spend significantly less time in the center of the novel field compared to controls. The FST assesses the anti-depressive phenotype by quantifying the amount of time that mice spend immobile when placed into a bucket of water. A mouse with an anti-depressive phenotype will spend significantly less time immobile compared to control animals. The goal of this protocol is to use the stereotactic injection of a lentivirus in conjunction with behavioral tests to assess how genetic factors modulate animal behaviors.

Stereotactic injection of lentiviruses expressing cDNAs or shRNAs can modulate gene expression in specific brain areas of mice. Here, we present a protocol to combine stereotactic injections with behavioral tasks, such as the Open Field Test (OFT) and the Forced Swim Test (FST).

Het toepassen van stereotactische injectie techniek om genetische effecten op Animal Gedrag Studie

Stereotactic injection is a useful technique to deliver high titer lentiviruses to targeted brain areas in mice. Lentiviruses can either overexpress or ...

Investigating Motor Skill Learning Processes with a Robotic Manipulandum

Skilled reaching tasks are commonly used in studies of motor skill learning and motor function under healthy and pathological conditions, but can be time-intensive and ambiguous to quantify beyond simple success rates. Here, we describe the training procedure for reach-and-pull tasks with ETH Pattus, a robotic platform for automated forelimb reaching training that records pulling and hand rotation movements in rats. Kinematic quantification of the performed pulling attempts reveals the presence of distinct temporal profiles of movement parameters such as pulling velocity, spatial variability of the pulling trajectory, deviation from midline, as well as pulling success. We show how minor adjustments in the training paradigm result in alterations in these parameters, revealing their relation to task difficulty, general motor function or skilled task execution. Combined with electrophysiological, pharmacological and optogenetic techniques, this paradigm can be used to explore the mechanisms underlying motor learning and memory formation, as well as loss and recovery of function (e.g. after stroke).

A paradigm is presented for training and analysis of an automated skilled reaching task in rats. Analysis of pulling attempts reveals distinct subprocesses of motor learning.

Onderzoeken van Motor Skill Learning Processen met een Robotic Manipulandum

Skilled reaching tasks are commonly used in studies of motor skill learning and motor function under healthy and pathological conditions, but can be ...

Utilizing the Modified T-Maze to Assess Functional Memory Outcomes After Cardiac Arrest

Background: Evaluating mild to moderate cognitive impairment in a global cerebral ischemia (i.e. cardiac arrest) model can be difficult due to poor locomotion after surgery. For example, rats who undergo surgical procedures and are subjected to the Morris water maze may not be able to swim, thus voiding the experiment.
New Method: We established a modified behavioral spontaneous alternation T-maze test. The major advantage of the modified T-maze protocol is its relatively simple design that is powerful enough to assess functional learning/memory after ischemia. Additionally, the data analysis is simple and straightforward. We used the T-maze to determine the rats&#39; learning/memory deficits both in the presence or absence of mild to moderate (6 min) asphyxial cardiac arrest (ACA). Rats have a natural tendency for exploration and will explore the alternate arms in the T-maze, whereas hippocampal-lesioned rats tend to adopt a side-preference resulting in decreased spontaneous alternation ratios, revealing the hippocampal-related functional learning/memory in the presence or absence of ACA.
Results: ACA groups have higher side-preference ratios and lower alternations as compared to control.
Comparison with Existing Method(s): The Morris water and Barnes maze are more prominent for assessing learning/memory function. However, the Morris water maze is more stressful than other mazes. The Barnes maze is widely used to measure reference (long-term) memory, while ACA-induced neurocognitive deficits are more closely related to working (short-term) memory.
Conclusions: We have developed a simple, yet effective strategy to delineate working (short-term) memory via the T-maze in our global cerebral ischemia model (ACA).

This protocol describes the use of a modified T-maze to evaluate functional learning/memory in asphyxia cardiac arrest-induced cerebral ischemia.

Met behulp van de gewijzigde T-Maze om te beoordelen van functionele geheugen resultaten na hartstilstand

Background: Evaluating mild to moderate cognitive impairment in a global cerebral ischemia (i.e. cardiac arrest) model can be difficult due to poor ...

Methodology for Establishing a Community-Wide Life Laboratory for Capturing Unobtrusive and Continuous Remote Activity and Health Data

An end-to-end suite of technologies has been established for the unobtrusive and continuous monitoring of health and activity changes occurring in the daily life of older adults over extended periods of time. The technology is aggregated into a system that incorporates the principles of being minimally obtrusive, while generating secure, privacy protected, continuous objective data in real-world (home-based) settings for months to years. The system includes passive infrared presence sensors placed throughout the home, door contact sensors installed on exterior doors, connected physiological monitoring devices (such as scales), medication boxes, and wearable actigraphs. Driving sensors are also installed in participants' cars and computer (PC, tablet or smartphone) use is tracked. Data is annotated via frequent online self-report options that provide vital information with regard to the data that is difficult to infer via sensors such as internal states (e.g., pain, mood, loneliness), as well as data referent to activity pattern interpretation (e.g., visitors, rearranged furniture). Algorithms have been developed using the data obtained to identify functional domains key to health or disease activity monitoring, including mobility (e.g., room transitions, steps, gait speed), physiologic function (e.g., weight, body mass index, pulse), sleep behaviors (e.g., sleep time, trips to the bathroom at night), medication adherence (e.g., missed doses), social engagement (e.g., time spent out of home, time couples spend together), and cognitive function (e.g., time on computer, mouse movements, characteristics of online form completion, driving ability). Change detection of these functions provides a sensitive marker for the application in health surveillance of acute illnesses (e.g., viral epidemic) to the early detection of prodromal dementia syndromes. The system is particularly suitable for monitoring the efficacy of clinical interventions in natural history studies of geriatric syndromes and in clinical trials.

Unobtrusive sensors and pervasive computing technology incorporated into the daily home life of older adults enables meaningful health and activity changes to be recorded continuously for months to years, providing ecologically valid, high frequency, multi-domain data for research or clinical use.

Methode voor de vaststelling van een communautair leven laboratorium voor het vastleggen van discrete en continue externe activiteit en gezondheidsgegevens

An end-to-end suite of technologies has been established for the unobtrusive and continuous monitoring of health and activity changes occurring in the ...

Tickling, a Technique for Inducing Positive Affect When Handling Rats

Handling small animals such as rats can lead to several adverse effects. These include the fear of humans, resistance to handling, increased injury risk for both the animals and the hands of their handlers, decreased animal welfare, and less valid research data. To minimize negative effects on experimental results and human-animal relationships, research animals are often habituated to being handled. However, the methods of habituation are highly variable and often of limited effectiveness. More potently, it is possible for humans to mimic aspects of the animals&#39; playful rough-and-tumble behavior during handling. When applied to laboratory rats in a systematic manner, this playful handling, referred to as tickling, consistently gives rise to positive behavioral responses. This article provides a detailed description of a standardized rat tickling technique. This method can contribute to future investigations into positive affective states in animals, make it easier to handle rats for common husbandry activities such as cage changing or medical/research procedures such as injection, and be implemented as a source of social enrichment. It is concluded that this method can be used to efficiently and practicably reduce rats&#39; fearfulness of humans and improve their welfare, as well as reliably model positive affective states.

This article demonstrates the standardized application of playful handling, a tickling technique designed to mimic rat rough-and-tumble play. This technique is effective at reducing fearful reactions to humans and generating positive affect when rats are handled for common husbandry activities and medical and research procedures such as injection.

Kietelen, een techniek om positieve invloed bij het verwerken van ratten

Handling small animals such as rats can lead to several adverse effects. These include the fear of humans, resistance to handling, increased injury risk ...

A Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Technique for Inducing Post-stroke Depression in Rats

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is the most recurrent of all psychiatric complications resulting from an ischemic stroke. A greater majority (about 60%) of all ischemic stroke patients suffer from PSD, a disorder considered to be an ischemic stroke-related precursor for increased death and degradation in health. The pathophysiology of PSD is still obscure. To study the mechanism of development and occurrence of PSD further, and to find out a therapy, we attempted to develop a new protocol that requires occluding the middle cerebral artery (MCA) via the internal carotid artery (ICA) in rats. This protocol describes a model of PSD induced in rats through the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Also used in the experiment are the Porsolt forced swim test and the sucrose preference test to confirm and evaluate the depressive mood of the rats under investigation. Rather than inserting the catheter through the external carotid artery (ECA), as stipulated for the original procedure, this MCAO technique has the monofilament passing directly through the ICA. This MCAO technique was developed a few years ago and leads to a reduction in mortality and variability. It is generally accepted that the criteria used are preferred in the selection of biological models. The data obtained with this protocol show that this model of MCAO could be a way of inducing PSD in rats and could potentially lead to the understanding of the pathophysiology and the future development of new drugs and other neuroprotective agents.

Here we present a protocol to induce post-stroke depression in rats by occluding the middle cerebral artery via the internal carotid artery. We use the Porsolt forced swim test and the sucrose preference test to confirm and evaluate induced depressive moods.

Een middelste cerebrale slagader occlusie techniek voor het induceren van post-takt depressie bij ratten

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is the most recurrent of all psychiatric complications resulting from an ischemic stroke. A greater majority (about 60%) of ...