We acknowledge the following funding sources: NIH NINDS &#8211; K08NS101122 (JB), R01NS040337 (JK), R01NS044370 (JK), University of Virginia School of Medicine (JB).

All animal studies were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of the University of Virginia.
1. Electrode building/cable building
<ol>
	<li>Use a unipolar insulated stainless-steel wire (0.005&#8221; bare diameter, 0.008&#8221; coated) to make an electrode that is connected with a female socket connector (female receptacle connector 0.079).</li>
	<li>Use a special custom-made cable to connect animals to the amplifier.
	<ol>
		<li>Attach a male 4-pin connector (Male connector 0.079&#8221;) to 4 channel unity gain impedance matching operational amplifier (op-amp). Attach a 10K resistor to the wires that connect to the 9 V battery. A ground wire not connected to the op-amp acts as the midpoint of the battery.</li>
		<li>Connect one end of the cable (AWG, 0.012&#8221; OD) to the op-amp and connect the other end of the cable to the amplifier.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
2. Electrode implantation surgery
<ol>
	<li>Anesthetize the pup (postnatal day 9) with 4-5% isoflurane in a downward flow hood. Prior to the start of the procedure, inject the pups with bupivacaine (0.02-0.05 mL, 0.25% subcutaneous local infiltration).</li>
	<li>Once the animal is immobile, transfer to a stereotactic stage with a nose cone. Use the reverse side of the ear bar as it is soft to hold the head steady. At this age, pups do not have a fully developed ear to use the pointed end of the ear bar.</li>
	<li>Turn down the flow of isoflurane and maintain it at 2.5-3%. Keep an eye on steady breathing of the pup throughout the surgery procedure. Pinch the tail to check pain response and then proceed to incision.</li>
	<li>Sterilize the incision area on the skull with betadine and alcohol (3 cycles of alternating iodine and 70% ethanol). Drape the surrounding body part such that the incision region is visible.</li>
	<li>Open the scalp anterior-posterior from slightly above the eyes and retract approximately 0.5&#160;cm of skin. Reposition the mouse head on the stereotaxic stage so that the skin pulls outward exposing skull.</li>
	<li>Apply hydrogen peroxide on the skull using a cotton swab and scrape the skull clean using a scalpel blade. The skull is very soft; exercise caution while scraping.</li>
	<li>Apply one drop (approximately 50 &#181;L) of adhesive and spread it around the exposed skull area using its applicator. Expose to UV light for 40 s to set the adhesive.</li>
	<li>Measure the coordinates using the exposed bregma as the reference. Implant electrodes bilaterally in the CA1 region of hippocampus [-3.5 mm Dorsal-Ventral (DV), &#177;2 mm Medial-Lateral (ML), -1.75 mm Deep (D)] and bilaterally in the parietal cortex [-1.22 mm DV, &#177;0.5 mm ML, -1 mm D] and a reference electrode in the cerebellum17. Use a 32 G needle to create a hole at the marked region.</li>
	<li>Clean the blood from the surface of the skull. Lower electrodes attached to the female socket connector into the brain with the help of the stereotaxic arm and fix in place with dental acrylic. Implant the electrode in the brain. The socket connector headset sits on top of the skull glued together by dental acrylic.</li>
	<li>Inject ketoprofen (5 mg/kg) subcutaneously in the interscapular region once the electrode is fixed. Place the pups back with the mother. 
	NOTE: Introduce half of the litter with the headset at once to the mother rather than introducing them one at a time. This will prevent from mother damaging the pup&#8217;s headset.</li>
</ol>
3. EEG setup and recording (baseline/pre-injury)
<ol>
	<li>After 24 h of recovery after electrode implantation, place each animal in a heated (37 &#176;C) custom-made Plexiglas chamber for EEG recording. This chamber will also serve as a hypoxia chamber.</li>
	<li>Connect pups in the chamber to a video-EEG monitoring system via a flexible cable (custom made op-amp cable). 
	NOTE: With the headset in place, the mice are freely mobile and do not exhibit any differences in behavior. Once attached to the electrode wires, the wires must be adjusted within the chamber tether in order to provide the right amount of slack so that the pup can freely move throughout the chamber.</li>
	<li>Digitize the EEG data at 1000 Hz with 1K gain using a grass amplifier. Review the EEG signal (band pass filter between 3-70 Hz) later using software (e.g., LabChart Pro).</li>
	<li>Record a pre-injury baseline EEG for 30 minutes prior to disconnecting animals for carotid artery ligation procedure.</li>
</ol>
4. Left carotid artery ligation
<ol>
	<li>Anesthetize the pup (postnatal day 10) with 4-5% isoflurane in a downward flow hood and place them on specially arranged setup on a waterbath pad. Position the animal supine and secure the forelimbs with paper tape.
	<ol>
		<li>Lower the flow of isoflurane to 2-3%. Pinch the tail for pain response and monitor breathing throughout procedure.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Sterilize the incision area (between mandible and the clavicle) on the left side of the neck with betadine and alcohol (3 cycles of alternating iodine and 70% ethanol).</li>
	<li>Make an approximately 1 cm long incision on the left side of the neck using microscissors. Using a dissecting microscope, carefully retract the subcutaneous tissue and skin to expose the carotid artery. Take care to identify the vagus nerve (running lateral to the artery) and delicately separate and retract it from the artery.</li>
	<li>Thread a 5 cm long sterile silk suture under the artery using microforceps. Tie a double knotted suture around the artery to occlude flow.</li>
	<li>Cut the excess suture and close the exposed artery by pulling back the subcutaneous tissue and skin. Use vet bond to seal the incision.</li>
	<li>Place the animal back on continuous EEG monitoring in a chamber at room temperature, which is placed on a warming mattress. Take spot infrared temperature checks of pup core temperature to avoid opening the chamber. Allow the animal to recover for 1 h prior to hypoxia.</li>
</ol>
5. EEG and hypoxia
<ol>
	<li>Continuously monitor FiO2 (fraction of inspired oxygen) within the chamber via an oxygen monitor.</li>
	<li>Flush the chamber with 60 L/min of 100% N2 and 0.415 L/min for 100% O2. Once the oxygen saturation in the chamber reaches 12%, decrease the N2 flow to 10 L/min while keeping the O2 flow unchanged. With small adjustments, maintain the FiO2 at 8% for 45 min.</li>
	<li>After 45 min of hypoxia exposure, return FiO2 to 21%.</li>
	<li>Have pups recover in chamber and monitor on EEG for 2 h post-hypoxia.</li>
	<li>After completion of recording period, disconnect mice from EEG recording and return to the mother.</li>
</ol>
6. EEG analysis
<ol>
	<li>Analyze the EEG file with video in LabChart Pro. Have a blinded researcher mark the EEG for seizures and background patterns17. Seizures are defined as an electrographic event lasting greater than 10 seconds with high frequency rhythmic sharp wave discharges (&#8805;3x baseline) with clear evolution17.</li>
	<li>Have a second blinded researcher review marked events at random for agreement.</li>
	<li>Review associated video for each marked electrographic event and analyze according to the neonatal rodent behavioral seizure score16. Briefly, this score ranges from 0-6 (immobility to severe tonic-clonic behavior). To further characterize seizure semiology, analyze behavior for laterality (multifocal/bilateral movements vs. focal/unilateral vs. mixed).</li>
	<li>Create a power spectrogram. Use a Fast Fourier Transform with a Cosine-Bell data window with a size of 1024 data points. Create a smooth x-axis in the spectrogram with the help of a window overlap of 87.5%. Express the power as &#181;V218.</li>
</ol>

<ol>
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Childhood outcomes after hypothermia for neonatal encephalopathy.</a> New England Journal of Medicine. 366 (22), 2085-2092 (2012).</li><li>Pappas, A., 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=Cognitive+outcomes+after+neonatal+encephalopathy.">Cognitive outcomes after neonatal encephalopathy.</a> Pediatrics. 135 (3), 624-634 (2015).</li><li>van Schie, P. 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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=Brain+development+in+rodents+and+humans:+Identifying+benchmarks+of+maturation+and+vulnerability+to+injury+across+species.">Brain development in rodents and humans: Identifying benchmarks of maturation and vulnerability to injury across species.</a> Progress in Neurobiology. , 1-16 (2013).</li><li>Comi, A. 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=Gabapentin+neuroprotection+and+seizure+suppression+in+immature+mouse+brain+ischemia.">Gabapentin neuroprotection and seizure suppression in immature mouse brain ischemia.</a> Pediatric Research. 64 (1), 81-85 (2008).</li><li>Comi, A. 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E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Continuous+Electroencephalographic+Monitoring+with+Radio-Telemetry+in+a+Rat+Model+of+Perinatal+Hypoxia-Ischemia+Reveals+Progressive+Post-Stroke+Epilepsy.">Continuous Electroencephalographic Monitoring with Radio-Telemetry in a Rat Model of Perinatal Hypoxia-Ischemia Reveals Progressive Post-Stroke Epilepsy.</a> Journal of Neuroscience. 30 (1), 404-415 (2010).</li><li>Burnsed, 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=Neuronal+Circuit+Activity+during+Neonatal+Hypoxic+-+Ischemic+Seizures+in+Mice.">Neuronal Circuit Activity during Neonatal Hypoxic - Ischemic Seizures in Mice.</a> Annals of Neurology. 86, 927-938 (2019).</li><li>Sampath, D., White, A. M., Raol, Y. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Characterization+of+neonatal+seizures+in+an+animal+model+of+hypoxic-ischemic+encephalopathy.">Characterization of neonatal seizures in an animal model of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.</a> Epilepsia. 55 (7), 985-993 (2014).</li><li>Sampath, D., Valdez, R., White, A. M., Raol, Y. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Anticonvulsant+effect+of+flupirtine+in+an+animal+model+of+neonatal+hypoxic-ischemic+encephalopathy.">Anticonvulsant effect of flupirtine in an animal model of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.</a> Neuropharmacology. 123, 126-135 (2017).</li><li>Kang, S. 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P., Kowalski, S., Kapur, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Impact+of+transient+acute+hypoxia+on+the+developing+mouse+EEG.">Impact of transient acute hypoxia on the developing mouse EEG.</a> Neurobiology of Disease. 68, 37-46 (2014).</li><li>Lewczuk, 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=EEG+and+behavior+patterns+during+experimental+status+epilepticus.">EEG and behavior patterns during experimental status epilepticus.</a> Epilepsia. 59 (2), 369-380 (2017).</li><li>Wu, D., Martin, L. J., Northington, F. 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We have presented a model for continuous video-EEG monitoring in neonatal mice during hypoxic-ischemic seizures. Video analysis in conjunction with EEG allows characterization of seizure semiology. Analysis of EEG allows for extraction of power spectrograms and background amplitude analysis.
Correct and careful placement of electrodes is crucial in this protocol, as injury during electrode placement or inaccurate placement can significantly affect results. Assessment of normal baseline EEG act...

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a condition that affects 1.5 in 1000 newborns annually and is the most common cause of neonatal seizures1,2. Infants who survive are at risk for various neurological disabilities such as cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, and epilepsy3,4,5.
Animal models play a critical role in understanding and investigating the pathophysiology of hypoxia ischemia and neonatal seizures6,7. A modified Vannucci model is used to induce hypoxia ischemia (HI) on postnatal day 10 (p10)7,8. Mouse pups of this age translate neurologically roughly to the full term human neonate9.
Continuous video electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring used in conjunction with this injury model allows for further understanding and characterization of neonatal hypoxic ischemic seizures. Previous studies have used various methods for analyzing neonatal seizures in rodents, including video recordings, limited EEG recordings and telemetry EEG recordings10,11,12,13,14,15,16. In the following manuscript, we discuss in depth the process of recording continuous video EEG in mouse pups during hypoxia-ischemia. This technique for continuous video EEG monitoring in neonatal mouse pups could be applied to a variety of disease and seizure models.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>SURGERY</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ball Point Applicator</td>
			<td>Metrex Research</td>
			<td>8300-F</td>
			<td>i-bond applicator</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cranioplast (Powder/Resin)</td>
			<td>Coltene</td>
			<td>H00383</td>
			<td>Perm Reline/Power</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>I-Bond</td>
			<td>Kulzer GmbH, Germany</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>LOOK Silk Suture</td>
			<td>Surgical Specialities Corporation</td>
			<td>SP115</td>
			<td>LOOK SP115 Black Braided Silk Non absorbable surgical suture</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RS-5168 Botvin Forceps</td>
			<td>Roboz Surgical Instrument</td>
			<td>RS5168</td>
			<td>Forcep for surgery/ligation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RS-5138 Graefe Forceps</td>
			<td>Roboz Surgical Instrument</td>
			<td>RS5138</td>
			<td>Forcep for surgery/ligation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>UV light for I-Bond</td>
			<td>Blast Lite By First Media</td>
			<td>BL778</td>
			<td>UV ligth for I-bond</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vannas Microdissecting Scissor</td>
			<td>Roboz Surgical Instrument</td>
			<td>RS5618</td>
			<td>Scissor for ligation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vet Bond</td>
			<td>3M Vetbond</td>
			<td>1469SB</td>
			<td>Vet Glue</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>HYPOXIA</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hypoxidial</td>
			<td>Starr Life Science</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Oxygen sensor</td>
			<td>Medical Products</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>MiniOxI- oxygen analyzer/sensor for hypoxia rig</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EEG RECORDING</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Female receptacle connector 0.079&#34;</td>
			<td>Mill-Max Manufacturing Corp</td>
			<td>832-10-024-10-001000</td>
			<td>Ordered from Digikey</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Grass Amplifier</td>
			<td>Natus Neurology Incorporated</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Grass Product</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>LabChart Pro</td>
			<td>ADI Instruments</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Software to run the system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Male Socket Connector 0.079&#34;</td>
			<td>Mill-Max Manufacturing Corp</td>
			<td>833-43-024-20-001000</td>
			<td>Ordered from Digikey</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Operational Amplifier</td>
			<td>Texas Instruments, Dallas, TX, USA</td>
			<td>TLC2274CD</td>
			<td>TLC2274 Quad Low&#8208;Noise Rail&#8208;to Rail Operational Amplifier</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Operational Amplifier</td>
			<td>Texas Instruments, Dallas, TX, USA</td>
			<td>TLC2272ACDR</td>
			<td>TLC2274 Quad Low&#8208;Noise Rail&#8208;to Rail Operational Amplifier</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Stainless Steel wire</td>
			<td>A-M Systems</td>
			<td>791400</td>
			<td>0.005&#34; Bare/0.008&#34; Coated 100 ft</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ultra-Flexible Wire</td>
			<td>McMaster-Carr</td>
			<td>9564T1</td>
			<td>36 Gauze wire of various color</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

continuous video electroencephalogram during hypoxia-ischemia in neonatal mice

Hypoxia ischemia is the most common cause of neonatal seizures. Animal models are crucial for understanding the mechanisms and physiology underlying neonatal seizures and hypoxia ischemia. This manuscript describes a method for continuous video electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring in neonatal mice to detect seizures and analyze EEG background during hypoxia ischemia. Use of video and EEG in conjunction allows description of seizure semiology and confirmation of seizures. This method also allows analysis of power spectrograms and EEG background pattern trends over the experimental time period. In this hypoxia ischemia model, the method allows EEG recording prior to injury to obtain a normative baseline and during injury and recovery. Total monitoring time is limited by the inability to separate pups from the mother for longer than four hours. Although, we have used a model of hypoxic-ischemic seizures in this manuscript, this method for neonatal video EEG monitoring could be applied to diverse disease and seizure models in rodents.

Seizure semiology
Neonatal hypoxia-ischemia exposure results in both generalized and focal seizures in mice (Figure 1A-C). Video EEG recordings allow electrographic findings to be correlated to behavior on video. These behaviors were scored using a previously published neonatal rodent behavioral seizure score (BSS)16. In addition to BSS, we categorized events based on whether the behavior was focal/unilateral, bila...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Continuous Video Electroencephalogram during Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Mice at JoVE.com

Continuous Video Electroencephalogram during Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Mice

This manuscript describes a method for continuous video EEG recordings using multiple depth electrodes in neonatal mice undergoing hypoxia-ischemia.

Hypoxia ischemia is the most common cause of neonatal seizures. Animal models are crucial for understanding the mechanisms and physiology underlying ...

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3.3K Views.  University of Virginia. This manuscript describes a method for continuous video EEG recordings using multiple depth electrodes in neonatal mice undergoing hypoxia-ischemia.

Video: Continuous Video Electroencephalogram during Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Mice

Video-oculography in Mice

Eye movements are very important in order to track an object or to stabilize an image on the retina during movement. Animals without a fovea, such as the mouse, have a limited capacity to lock their eyes onto a target. In contrast to these target directed eye movements, compensatory ocular eye movements are easily elicited in afoveate animals1,2,3,4. Compensatory ocular movements are generated by processing vestibular and optokinetic information into a command signal that will drive the eye muscles. The processing of the vestibular and optokinetic information can be investigated separately and together, allowing the specification of a deficit in the oculomotor system. The oculomotor system can be tested by evoking an optokinetic reflex (OKR), vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) or a visually-enhanced vestibulo-ocular reflex (VVOR). The OKR is a reflex movement that compensates for "full-field" image movements on the retina, whereas the VOR is a reflex eye movement that compensates head movements. The VVOR is a reflex eye movement that uses both vestibular as well as optokinetic information to make the appropriate compensation. The cerebellum monitors and is able to adjust these compensatory eye movements. Therefore, oculography is a very powerful tool to investigate brain-behavior relationship under normal as well as under pathological conditions (f.e. of vestibular, ocular and/or cerebellar origin).
Testing the oculomotor system, as a behavioral paradigm, is interesting for several reasons. First, the oculomotor system is a well understood neural system5. Second, the oculomotor system is relative simple6; the amount of possible eye movement is limited by its ball-in-socket architecture ("single joint") and the three pairs of extra-ocular muscles7. Third, the behavioral output and sensory input can easily be measured, which makes this a highly accessible system for quantitative analysis8. Many behavioral tests lack this high level of quantitative power. And finally, both performance as well as plasticity of the oculomotor system can be tested, allowing research on learning and memory processes9.
Genetically modified mice are nowadays widely available and they form an important source for the exploration of brain functions at various levels10. In addition, they can be used as models to mimic human diseases. Applying oculography on normal, pharmacologically-treated or genetically modified mice is a powerful research tool to explore the underlying physiology of motor behaviors under normal and pathological conditions. Here, we describe how to measure video-oculography in mice8.

Video-oculography is a very quantitative method to investigate ocular motor performance as well as motor learning. Here, we describe how to measure video-oculography in mice. Applying this technique on normal, pharmacologically-treated or genetically modified mice is a powerful research tool to explore the underlying physiology of motor behaviors.

Eye movements are very important in order to track an object or to stabilize an image on the retina during movement. Animals without a fovea, such as the ...

Intracerebroventricular Viral Injection of the Neonatal Mouse Brain for Persistent and Widespread Neuronal Transduction

With the pace of scientific advancement accelerating rapidly, new methods are needed for experimental neuroscience to quickly and easily manipulate gene expression in the mouse brain. Here we describe a technique first introduced by Passini and Wolfe for direct intracranial delivery of virally-encoded transgenes into the neonatal mouse brain. In its most basic form, the procedure requires only an ice bucket and a microliter syringe. However, the protocol can also be adapted for use with stereotaxic frames to improve consistency for researchers new to the technique. The method relies on the ability of adeno-associated virus (AAV) to move freely from the cerebral ventricles into the brain parenchyma while the ependymal lining is still immature during the first 12-24 hr after birth. Intraventricular injection of AAV at this age results in widespread transduction of neurons throughout the brain. Expression begins within days of injection and persists for the lifetime of the animal. Viral titer can be adjusted to control the density of transduced neurons, while co-expression of a fluorescent protein provides a vital label of transduced cells. With the rising availability of viral core facilities to provide both off-the-shelf, pre-packaged reagents and custom viral preparation, this approach offers a timely method for manipulating gene expression in the mouse brain that is fast, easy, and far less expensive than traditional germline engineering.

Here we demonstrate a technique for widespread neuronal transduction by intraventricular injection of adeno-associated virus into the neonatal mouse brain. This method provides a rapid and easy way to attain lifelong expression of virally-delivered transgenes.

With the pace of scientific advancement accelerating rapidly, new methods are needed for experimental neuroscience to quickly and easily manipulate gene ...

Video Imaging and Spatiotemporal Maps to Analyze Gastrointestinal Motility in Mice

The enteric nervous system (ENS) plays an important role in regulating gastrointestinal (GI) motility and can function independently of the central nervous system. Changes in ENS function are a major cause of GI symptoms and disease and may contribute to GI symptoms reported in neuropsychiatric disorders including autism. It is well established that isolated colon segments generate spontaneous, rhythmic contractions known as Colonic Migrating Motor Complexes (CMMCs). A procedure to analyze the enteric neural regulation of CMMCs in ex vivo preparations of mouse colon is described. The colon is dissected from the animal and flushed to remove fecal content prior to being cannulated in an organ bath. Data is acquired via a video camera positioned above the organ bath and converted to high-resolution spatiotemporal maps via an in-house software package. Using this technique, baseline contractile patterns and pharmacological effects on ENS function in colon segments can be compared over 3-4 hr. In addition, propagation length and speed of CMMCs can be recorded as well as changes in gut diameter and contraction frequency. This technique is useful for characterizing gastrointestinal motility patterns in transgenic mouse models (and in other species including rat and guinea pig). In this way, pharmacologically induced changes in CMMCs are recorded in wild type mice and in the Neuroligin-3R451C mouse model of autism. Furthermore, this technique can be applied to other regions of the GI tract including the duodenum, jejunum and ileum and at different developmental ages in mice.

This article describes a video imaging technique and high-resolution spatiotemporal mapping to identify changes in the neural regulation of colonic motility in adult mice. Subtle effects on gastrointestinal (GI) function can be detected using this approach in isolated tissue preparations to advance our understanding of GI disease.

The enteric nervous system (ENS) plays an important role in regulating gastrointestinal (GI) motility and can function independently of the central ...

Spinal Cord Neurons Isolation and Culture from Neonatal Mice

We present a protocol for the isolation and culture of spinal cord neurons. The neurons are obtained from neonatal C57BL/6 mice and are isolated on postnatal day 1-3. A mouse litter, usually 4-10 pups born from one breeding pair, is gathered for one experiment, and spinal cords are collected individually from each mouse after euthanasia with isoflurane. The spinal column is dissected out and then the spinal cord is released from the column. The spinal cords are then minced to increase the surface area of delivery for an enzymatic protease that allows for the neurons and other cells to be released from the tissue. Trituration is then used to release the cells into solution. This solution is subsequently fractionated in a density gradient to separate the various cells in solution, allowing for neurons to be isolated. Approximately 1-2.5 x 106 neurons can be isolated from one litter group. The neurons are then seeded onto wells coated with adhesive factors that allow for proper growth and maturation. The neurons take approximately 7 days to reach maturity in the growth and culture medium and can be used thereafter for treatment and analysis.

This study presents a technique for the isolation of neurons from WT neonatal mice. It requires the careful dissection of the spinal cord from the neonatal mouse, followed by the separation of neurons from the spinal cord tissue through mechanical and enzymatic cleavage.

We present a protocol for the isolation and culture of spinal cord neurons. The neurons are obtained from neonatal C57BL/6 mice and are isolated on ...

In Vivo Two-photon Imaging of Cortical Neurons in Neonatal Mice

Two-photon imaging is a powerful tool for the in vivo analysis of neuronal circuits in the mammalian brain. However, a limited number of in vivo imaging methods exist for examining the brain tissue of live newborn mammals. Herein we summarize a protocol for imaging individual cortical neurons in living neonatal mice. This protocol includes the following two methodologies: (1) the Supernova system for sparse and bright labeling of cortical neurons in the developing brain, and (2) a surgical procedure for the fragile neonatal skull. This protocol allows the observation of temporal changes of individual cortical neurites during neonatal stages with a high signal-to-noise ratio. Labeled cell-specific gene silencing and knockout can also be achieved by combining the Supernova with RNA interference and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing systems. This protocol can, thus, be used for analyzing the developmental dynamics of cortical neurons, molecular mechanisms that control the neuronal dynamics, and changes in neuronal dynamics in disease models.

In Vivo Two-photon Imaging of Cortical Neurons in Neonatal Mice

We present an in vivo two-photon imaging protocol for imaging the cerebral cortex of neonatal mice. This method is suitable for analyzing the developmental dynamics of cortical neurons, the molecular mechanisms that control the neuronal dynamics, and the changes in neuronal dynamics in disease models.

Two-photon imaging is a powerful tool for the in vivo analysis of neuronal circuits in the mammalian brain. However, a limited number of in vivo imaging ...

Optogenetic Manipulation of Neural Circuits During Monitoring Sleep/wakefulness States in Mice

In recent years, optogenetics has been widely used in many fields of neuroscientific research. In many cases, an opsin, such as channel rhodopsin 2 (ChR2), is expressed by a virus vector in a particular type of neuronal cells in various Cre-driver mice. Activation of these opsins is triggered by application of light pulses which are delivered by laser or LED through optic cables, and the effect of activation is observed with very high time resolution. Experimenters are able to acutely stimulate neurons while monitoring behavior or another physiological outcome in mice. Optogenetics can enable useful strategies to evaluate function of neuronal circuits in the regulation of sleep/wakefulness states in mice. Here we describe a technique for examining the effect of optogenetic manipulation of neurons with a specific chemical identity during electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG) monitoring to evaluate the sleep stage of mice. As an example, we describe manipulation of GABAergic neurons in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). Acute optogenetic excitation of these neurons triggers a rapid transition to wakefulness when applied during NREM sleep. Optogenetic manipulation along with EEG/EMG recording can be applied to decipher the neuronal circuits that regulate sleep/wakefulness states.

Here, we describe methods of optogenetic manipulation of particular types of neurons during monitoring of sleep/wakefulness states in mice, presenting our recent work on the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis as an example.

In recent years, optogenetics has been widely used in many fields of neuroscientific research. In many cases, an opsin, such as channel rhodopsin 2 ...

Modeling Neonatal Intraventricular Hemorrhage Through Intraventricular Injection of Hemoglobin

Neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a common consequence of premature birth and leads to brain injury, posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH), and lifelong neurological deficits. While PHH can be treated by temporary and permanent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion procedures (ventricular reservoir and ventriculoperitoneal shunt, respectively), there are no pharmacological strategies to prevent or treat IVH-induced brain injury and hydrocephalus. Animal models are needed to better understand the pathophysiology of IVH and test pharmacological treatments. While there are existing models of neonatal IVH, those that reliably result in hydrocephalus are often limited by the necessity for large-volume injections, which may complicate modeling of the pathology or introduce variability in the clinical phenotype observed.
Recent clinical studies have implicated hemoglobin and ferritin in causing ventricular enlargement after IVH. Here, we develop a straightforward animal model that mimics the clinical phenotype of PHH utilizing small-volume intraventricular injections of the blood breakdown product hemoglobin. In addition to reliably inducing ventricular enlargement and hydrocephalus, this model results in white matter injury, inflammation, and immune cell infiltration in periventricular and white matter regions. This paper describes this clinically relevant, simple method for modeling IVH-PHH in neonatal rats using intraventricular injection and presents methods for quantifying ventricle size post injection.

We present a model of neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage using rat pups that mimics the pathology seen in humans.

Neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a common consequence of premature birth and leads to brain injury, posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH), and ...

Neuronal Activity Mapping in Developing Mouse Sensory Cortex

In Vivo Visualization of Spontaneous Activity in Neonatal Mouse Sensory Cortex at a Single-Neuron Resolution

The mammalian brain undergoes dynamic developmental changes at both the cellular and circuit levels throughout prenatal and postnatal periods. Following the discovery of numerous genes contributing to these developmental changes, it is now known that neuronal activity also substantially modulates these processes. In the developing cerebral cortex, neurons exhibit synchronized activity patterns that are specialized to each primary sensory area. These patterns markedly differ from those observed in the mature cortex, emphasizing their role in regulating area-specific developmental processes. Deficiencies in neuronal activity during development can lead to various brain diseases. These findings highlight the need to examine the regulatory mechanisms underlying activity patterns in neuronal development. This paper summarizes a series of protocols to visualize primary sensory areas and neuronal activity in neonatal mice, to image the activity of individual neurons within the cortical subfields using two-photon microscopy in vivo, and to analyze subfield-related activity correlations. We show representative results of patchwork-like synchronous activity within individual barrels in the somatosensory cortex. We also discuss various potential applications and some limitations of this protocol.

Author Spotlight: Deciphering Neural Circuit Formation from Two-Photon Microscopy and Single Neuron Imaging

Primary sensory areas in the neocortex exhibit unique spontaneous activities during development. This article describes how to visualize individual neuron activities and primary sensory areas to analyze area-specific synchronous activities in neonatal mice in vivo.

The mammalian brain undergoes dynamic developmental changes at both the cellular and circuit levels throughout prenatal and postnatal periods. Following ...

A Comprehensive Protocol for Delivering Intrathecal Injections in Neonatal Mice

Intrathecal Injection of Newborn Mouse for Genome Editing and Drug Delivery

Intrathecal injection is a commonly employed procedure in both pediatric and adult clinics, serving as an effective means to administer medications and treatments. By directly delivering medications and treatments into the cerebrospinal fluid of the central nervous system, this method achieves higher localized drug concentrations while reducing systemic side-effects compared to other routes such as intravenous, subcutaneous, or intramuscular injections. Its importance extends beyond clinical settings, as intrathecal injection plays a vital role in preclinical studies focused on treating neurogenetic disorders in rodents and other large animals, including non-human primates. However, despite its widespread application, intrathecal injection in young, particularly neonatal pups, poses significant technical challenges due to their small size and fragile nature. Successful and reliable administration of intrathecal injections in newborn mice requires meticulous attention to detail and careful consideration of various factors. Thus, there is a crucial need for a standardized protocol that not only provides instructions but also highlights key technical considerations and good laboratory practices to ensure procedural consistency, as well as the safety and welfare of the animals.
To address this unmet need, we present a detailed and comprehensive protocol for performing intrathecal injections specifically in newborn pups on postnatal day 1 (P1). By following the step-by-step instructions, researchers can confidently perform intrathecal injections in neonatal pups, enabling the accurate delivery of drugs, antisense oligos, and viruses for gene replacement or genome editing-based treatments. Furthermore, the importance of adhering to good laboratory practices is emphasized to maintain the well-being of animals and ensure reliable experimental outcomes. This protocol aims to address the technical challenges associated with intrathecal injections in neonatal mice, ultimately facilitating advances in the field of neurogenetic research that aims to develop potential therapeutic interventions.

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

The present protocol outlines step-by-step instructions for performing intrathecal injections in neonatal mice for gene editing and drug delivery.

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