Name: in vivo intracellular recording of type-identified rat spinal motoneurons during trans-spinal direct current stimulation
Uploaded: 2020-05-11T15:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about In Vivo Intracellular Recording of Type-Identified Rat Spinal Motoneurons During Trans-Spinal Direct Current Stimulation at JoVE.com

This work was supported by the National Science Center grant No. 2017/25/B/NZ7/00373. Authors would like to recognize the work of Hanna Drzyma&#322;a-Celichowska and W&#322;odzimierz Mr&#243;wczy&#324;ski, who both contributed to the data gathering and analysis of the results presented in this paper.

All procedures connected to this protocol have been accepted by the appropriate authorities (e.g., Local Ethics Committee) and follow the national and international rules on animal welfare and management.
NOTE: Each participant involved in the procedure has to be properly trained in basic surgical procedures and has to have a valid license for performing animal experiments.
1. Anesthesia and premedication
<ol>
	<li>Anesthetize a rat with intraperitoneal injections...

<ol>
	<li>Angius, L., Hopker, J., Mauger, A. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+Ergogenic+Effects+of+Transcranial+Direct+Current+Stimulation+on+Exercise+Performance.">The Ergogenic Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Exercise Performance.</a> Frontiers in Physiology. 8, 90 (2017).</li><li>Berry, H. R., Tate, R. J., Conway, B. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Transcutaneous+spinal+direct+current+stimulation+induces+lasting+fatigue+resistance+and+enhances+explosive+vertical+jump+performance.">Transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation induces lasting fatigue resistance and enhances explosive vertical jump performance.</a> PloS One. 12 (4), 0173846 (2017).</li><li>Lenoir, C., Jankovski, A., Mouraux, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Anodal+transcutaneous+spinal+direct+current+stimulation+(tsDCS)+selectively+inhibits+the+synaptic+efficacy+of+nociceptive+transmission+at+spinal+cord+level.">Anodal transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) selectively inhibits the synaptic efficacy of nociceptive transmission at spinal cord level.</a> Neuroscience. 393, 150-163 (2018).</li><li>Parazzini, 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=Modeling+the+current+density+generated+by+transcutaneous+spinal+direct+current+stimulation+(tsDCS).">Modeling the current density generated by transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS).</a> Clinical Neurophysiology: Official Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. 125 (11), 2260-2270 (2014).</li><li>Choi, Y. A., Kim, Y., Shin, H. I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pilot+study+of+feasibility+and+effect+of+anodal+transcutaneous+spinal+direct+current+stimulation+on+chronic+neuropathic+pain+after+spinal+cord+injury.">Pilot study of feasibility and effect of anodal transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation on chronic neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury.</a> Spinal Cord. 57 (6), 461-470 (2019).</li><li>G&#243;mez-Soriano, J., Meg&#237;a-Garc&#237;a, A., Serrano-Mu&#241;oz, D., Osuagwu, B., Taylor, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Non-invasive+spinal+direct+current+simulation+for+spasticity+therapy+following+spinal+cord+injury:+mechanistic+insights+contributing+to+long-term+treatment+effects.">Non-invasive spinal direct current simulation for spasticity therapy following spinal cord injury: mechanistic insights contributing to long-term treatment effects.</a> The Journal of Physiology. 597 (8), 2121-2122 (2019).</li><li>de Ara&#250;jo, A. V. L., 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=Effectiveness+of+anodal+transcranial+direct+current+stimulation+to+improve+muscle+strength+and+motor+functionality+after+incomplete+spinal+cord+injury:+a+systematic+review+and+meta-analysis.">Effectiveness of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation to improve muscle strength and motor functionality after incomplete spinal cord injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis.</a> Spinal Cord. , (2020).</li><li>de Paz, R. H., Serrano-Mu&#241;oz, D., P&#233;rez-Nombela, S., Bravo-Esteban, E., Avenda&#241;o-Coy, J., G&#243;mez-Soriano, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Combining+transcranial+direct-current+stimulation+with+gait+training+in+patients+with+neurological+disorders:+a+systematic+review.">Combining transcranial direct-current stimulation with gait training in patients with neurological disorders: a systematic review.</a> Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation. 16 (1), 114 (2019).</li><li>Ahmed, Z. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Modulation+of+gamma+and+alpha+spinal+motor+neurons+activity+by+trans-spinal+direct+current+stimulation:+effects+on+reflexive+actions+and+locomotor+activity.">Modulation of gamma and alpha spinal motor neurons activity by trans-spinal direct current stimulation: effects on reflexive actions and locomotor activity.</a> Physiological Reports. 4 (3), (2016).</li><li>Bolzoni, F., Jankowska, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Presynaptic+and+postsynaptic+effects+of+local+cathodal+DC+polarization+within+the+spinal+cord+in+anaesthetized+animal+preparations.">Presynaptic and postsynaptic effects of local cathodal DC polarization within the spinal cord in anaesthetized animal preparations.</a> The Journal of Physiology. 593 (4), 947-966 (2015).</li><li>Cogiamanian, F., 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=Transcutaneous+Spinal+Direct+Current+Stimulation.">Transcutaneous Spinal Direct Current Stimulation.</a> Frontiers in Psychiatry. 3, (2012).</li><li>Ahmed, Z. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Trans-spinal+direct+current+stimulation+alters+muscle+tone+in+mice+with+and+without+spinal+cord+injury+with+spasticity.">Trans-spinal direct current stimulation alters muscle tone in mice with and without spinal cord injury with spasticity.</a> The Journal of Neuroscience: The Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience. 34 (5), 1701-1709 (2014).</li><li>Bolzoni, F., Pettersson, L. G., Jankowska, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evidence+for+long-lasting+subcortical+facilitation+by+transcranial+direct+current+stimulation+in+the+cat.">Evidence for long-lasting subcortical facilitation by transcranial direct current stimulation in the cat.</a> The Journal of Physiology. 591 (13), 3381-3399 (2013).</li><li>Manuel, M., Zytnicki, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Alpha,+beta+and+gamma+motoneurons:+functional+diversity+in+the+motor+system's+final+pathway.">Alpha, beta and gamma motoneurons: functional diversity in the motor system's final pathway.</a> Journal of Integrative Neuroscience. 10 (3), 243-276 (2011).</li><li>Feiereisen, P., Duchateau, J., Hainaut, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Motor+unit+recruitment+order+during+voluntary+and+electrically+induced+contractions+in+the+tibialis+anterior.">Motor unit recruitment order during voluntary and electrically induced contractions in the tibialis anterior.</a> Experimental Brain Research. 114 (1), 117-123 (1997).</li><li>Van Cutsem, M., Feiereisen, P., Duchateau, J., Hainaut, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mechanical+properties+and+behaviour+of+motor+units+in+the+tibialis+anterior+during+voluntary+contractions.">Mechanical properties and behaviour of motor units in the tibialis anterior during voluntary contractions.</a> Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology = Revue Canadienne De Physiologie Appliquee. 22 (6), 585-597 (1997).</li><li>Gardiner, P. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Physiological+properties+of+motoneurons+innervating+different+muscle+unit+types+in+rat+gastrocnemius.">Physiological properties of motoneurons innervating different muscle unit types in rat gastrocnemius.</a> Journal of Neurophysiology. 69 (4), 1160-1170 (1993).</li><li>Ahmed, Z. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Trans-spinal+direct+current+stimulation+modifies+spinal+cord+excitability+through+synaptic+and+axonal+mechanisms.">Trans-spinal direct current stimulation modifies spinal cord excitability through synaptic and axonal mechanisms.</a> Physiological Reports. 2 (9), (2014).</li><li>Manuel, M., Iglesias, C., Donnet, M., Leroy, F., Heckman, C. J., Zytnicki, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fast+kinetics,+high-frequency+oscillations,+and+subprimary+firing+range+in+adult+mouse+spinal+motoneurons.">Fast kinetics, high-frequency oscillations, and subprimary firing range in adult mouse spinal motoneurons.</a> The Journal of Neuroscience: The Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience. 29 (36), 11246-11256 (2009).</li><li>Liebetanz, D., Koch, R., Mayenfels, S., K&#246;nig, F., Paulus, W., Nitsche, M. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Safety+limits+of+cathodal+transcranial+direct+current+stimulation+in+rats.">Safety limits of cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation in rats.</a> Clinical Neurophysiology: Official Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. 120 (6), 1161-1167 (2009).</li><li>B&#261;czyk, M., Jankowska, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Long-term+effects+of+direct+current+are+reproduced+by+intermittent+depolarization+of+myelinated+nerve+fibers.">Long-term effects of direct current are reproduced by intermittent depolarization of myelinated nerve fibers.</a> Journal of Neurophysiology. 120 (3), 1173-1185 (2018).</li><li>B&#261;czyk, M., Drzyma&#322;a-Celichowska, H., Mr&#243;wczy&#324;ski, W., Krutki, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Motoneuron+firing+properties+are+modified+by+trans-spinal+direct+current+stimulation+in+rats.">Motoneuron firing properties are modified by trans-spinal direct current stimulation in rats.</a> Journal of Applied Physiology. 126 (5), 1232-1241 (2019).</li><li>B&#261;czyk, M., Drzyma&#322;a-Celichowska, H., Mr&#243;wczy&#324;ski, W., Krutki, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Long-lasting+modifications+of+motoneuron+firing+properties+by+trans-spinal+direct+current+stimulation+in+rats.">Long-lasting modifications of motoneuron firing properties by trans-spinal direct current stimulation in rats.</a> European Journal of Neuroscience. , (2019).</li><li>Miranda, P. C., Faria, P., Hallett, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=What+does+the+ratio+of+injected+current+to+electrode+area+tell+us+about+current+density+in+the+brain+during+tDCS.">What does the ratio of injected current to electrode area tell us about current density in the brain during tDCS.</a> Clinical Neurophysiology: Official Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. 120 (6), 1183-1187 (2009).</li><li>Rahman, 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=Cellular+effects+of+acute+direct+current+stimulation:+somatic+and+synaptic+terminal+effects.">Cellular effects of acute direct current stimulation: somatic and synaptic terminal effects.</a> The Journal of Physiology. 591 (10), 2563-2578 (2013).</li><li>Bikson, 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=Effects+of+uniform+extracellular+DC+electric+fields+on+excitability+in+rat+hippocampal+slices+in+vitro.">Effects of uniform extracellular DC electric fields on excitability in rat hippocampal slices in vitro.</a> The Journal of Physiology. 557, 175-190 (2004).</li><li>Jankowska, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spinal+control+of+motor+outputs+by+intrinsic+and+externally+induced+electric+field+potentials.">Spinal control of motor outputs by intrinsic and externally induced electric field potentials.</a> Journal of Neurophysiology. 118 (2), 1221-1234 (2017).</li><li>Button, D. C., Gardiner, K., Marqueste, T., Gardiner, P. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Frequency-current+relationships+of+rat+hindlimb+alpha-motoneurones.">Frequency-current relationships of rat hindlimb alpha-motoneurones.</a> The Journal of Physiology. 573, 663-677 (2006).</li></ol>

If performed correctly, the surgical part of the described protocol should be completed within approximately three hours. One should take particular care in maintaining stable physiological conditions of an animal during the surgery, in particular body temperature and depth of anesthesia. Apart from obvious ethical considerations, a lack of proper anesthesia can result in excessive limb movements during nerve dissection or laminectomy and lead to damage to the preparation or a premature experiment termination. Upon paral...

Trans-spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) is gaining recognition as a potent method to modify spinal circuit excitability in health and disease1,2,3. In this technique, a constant current is passed between an active electrode located above selected spinal segments, with a reference electrode located either ventrally or more rostrally4. Several studies have already confirmed that tsDCS can be used in managing certain pathological conditions, such as neuropathic pain5, spasticity6, spinal cord injury7 or to facilitate rehabilitation8. Researchers&#160;suggest that tsDCS evokes alterations in the ion distribution between the intracellular and the extracellular space across the cell membrane, and this can either facilitate or inhibit neuronal activity depending on the current orientation9,10,11. However, until recently, a direct confirmation of this influence on motoneurons was lacking.
Here, we describe a detailed protocol to conduct in vivo intracellular recording of electrical potentials from lumbar spinal motoneurons in the anesthetized rat with simultaneous application of tsDCS, in order to observe changes in motoneuron membrane and firing properties in response to anodal or cathodal polarization of the spinal neuronal network. Intracellular recordings open several areas of investigation of neuron properties, unavailable for previously used extracellular techniques9,12. For example, it is possible to precisely measure motoneuron membrane voltage response to direct current flow induced by tsDCS, to indicate voltage threshold for spike generation, or to analyze action potential parameters. Moreover, this technique allows us to determine motoneuron passive membrane properties, such as input resistance, and to observe the relationship between intracellular stimulation current and frequency of rhythmic firing of motoneurons. Antidromic identification of recorded motoneuron, based on the stimulation of functionally identified nerves (i.e., nerves providing efferents to flexors or extensors) allows us to additionally identify types of innervated motor units (fast versus slow), which gives an opportunity to test whether polarization differently influences individual elements of the mature spinal neuronal system. Due to extensive surgery preceding the recording and high requirements on stability and reliability of recordings, this technique is highly challenging but allows direct and long-term assessment of electrophysiological characteristics of one motoneuron: before, during and after application of tsDCS, which is crucial to determine both its acute actions and persistent effects13. As a motoneuron directly activates extrafusal muscle fibers14 and takes part in feedback control of a muscle contraction and developed force15,16 any observed influence of tsDCS on the motor unit or muscle contractile properties may be linked to modulations of motoneuron excitability or firing characteristics.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Durgs and solutions</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Atropinum sulfuricum</td>
			<td>Polfa Warszawa</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Glucose</td>
			<td>Merck</td>
			<td>346351</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NaHCO3</td>
			<td>Merck</td>
			<td>106329</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pancuronium Jelfa</td>
			<td>PharmaSwiss/Valeant</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>Neuromuscular blocker</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pentobarbital sodium</td>
			<td>Biowet Pu&#322;awy Sp. z o.o</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>Main anesthetic agent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pottasium citrate</td>
			<td>Chempur</td>
			<td>6100-05-06</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tetraspan</td>
			<td>Braun</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>HES solution</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Surgical equipment</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>21 Blade</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>10021-00</td>
			<td>Scalpel blade</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cauterizer</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>18010-00</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Chest Tubes</td>
			<td>Mila</td>
			<td>CT1215</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dumont #4 Forceps</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>11241-30</td>
			<td>Muscle forceps</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dumont #5 Forceps</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>11254-20</td>
			<td>Dura forceps</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dumont #5F Forceps</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>11255-20</td>
			<td>Nerve forceps</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dumont #5SF Forceps</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>11252-00</td>
			<td>Pia forceps</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Forceps</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>11008-13</td>
			<td>Blunt forceps</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Forceps</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>11053-10</td>
			<td>Skin forceps</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hemostat</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>13013-14</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rongeur</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>16021-14</td>
			<td>For laminectomy</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scissors</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>15000-08</td>
			<td>Vein scissors</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scissors</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>15002-08</td>
			<td>Dura scissors</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scissors</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>14184-09</td>
			<td>For trachea cut</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scissors</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>104075-11</td>
			<td>Muscle scissors</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scissors</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>14002-13</td>
			<td>Skin scissors</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tracheal tube</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>Custom made</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vein catheter</td>
			<td>Vygon</td>
			<td>1261.201</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vessel cannulation forceps</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>18403-11</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vessel clamp</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>18320-11</td>
			<td>For vein clamping</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vessel Dilating Probe</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>10160-13</td>
			<td>For vein dissection</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sugrgical materials</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gel foam</td>
			<td>Pfizer</td>
			<td>GTIN 00300090315085</td>
			<td>Hemostatic agent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Silk suture 4.0</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>18020-40</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Silk suture 6.0</td>
			<td>FST</td>
			<td>18020-60</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Equipment</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Axoclamp 2B</td>
			<td>Molecular devices</td>
			<td>discontinued</td>
			<td>Intracellular amplifier/ new model Axoclamp 900A</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CapStar-100 End-tidal CO2 Monitor</td>
			<td>CWE</td>
			<td>11-10000</td>
			<td>Gas analyzer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Grass S-88</td>
			<td>A-M Systems</td>
			<td>discontinued</td>
			<td>Constant current stimulator</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Homeothermic Blanket Systems with Flexible Probe</td>
			<td>Harvard Apparatus</td>
			<td>507222F</td>
			<td>Heating system</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ISO-DAM8A</td>
			<td>WPI</td>
			<td>74020</td>
			<td>Extracellular amplifier</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microdrive</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>Custom made/replacement IVM/Scientifica</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>P-1000 Microelectrode puller</td>
			<td>Sutter Instruments</td>
			<td>P-1000</td>
			<td>Microelectrode puller</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SAR-830/AP Small Animal Ventilator</td>
			<td>CWE</td>
			<td>12-02100</td>
			<td>Respirator</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Support frame</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>Custom made/replacement lab standard base 51601/Stoelting</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Spinal clamps</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>Custom made/replacement Rat spinal adaptor 51695/Stoelting</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TP-1 DC stimulator</td>
			<td>WiNUE</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>tsDCS stimulator</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Miscellaneous</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1B150-4 glass capillaries</td>
			<td>WPI</td>
			<td>1B150-4</td>
			<td>For microelectrodes production</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cotton wool</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>-</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>flexible tubing</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>For respirator and CO2 analyzer connection</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MicroFil</td>
			<td>WPI</td>
			<td>MF28G67-5</td>
			<td>For filling micropipettes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Silver wire</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>-</td>
			<td>For nerve electrodes</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

in vivo intracellular recording of type-identified rat spinal motoneurons during trans-spinal direct current stimulation

Intracellular recording of spinal motoneurons in vivo provides a &#8220;gold standard&#8221; for determining the cells&#8217; electrophysiological characteristics in the intact spinal network and holds significant advantages relative to classical in vitro or extracellular recording techniques. An advantage of in vivo intracellular recordings is that this method can be performed on adult animals with a fully mature nervous system, and therefore many observed physiological mechanisms can be translated to practical applications. In this methodological paper, we describe this procedure combined with externally applied constant current stimulation, which mimics polarization processes occurring within spinal neuronal networks. Trans-spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) is an innovative method increasingly used as a neuromodulatory intervention in rehabilitation after various neurological injuries as well as in sports. The influence of tsDCS on the nervous system remains poorly understood and the physiological mechanisms behind its actions are largely unknown. The application of the tsDCS simultaneously with intracellular recordings enables us to directly observe changes of motoneuron membrane properties and characteristics of rhythmic firing in response to the polarization of the spinal neuronal network, which is crucial for the understanding of tsDCS actions. Moreover, when the presented protocol includes the identification of the motoneuron with respect to an innervated muscle and its function (flexor versus extensor) as well as the physiological type (fast versus slow) it provides an opportunity to selectively investigate the influence of tsDCS on identified components of spinal circuitry, which seem to be differently affected by polarization. The presented procedure focuses on surgical preparation for intracellular recordings and stimulation with an emphasis on the steps which are necessary to achieve preparation stability and reproducibility of results. The details of the methodology of the anodal or cathodal tsDCS application are discussed while paying attention to practical and safety issues.

Parameters of action potentials and several membrane properties can be calculated on the basis of intracellular recordings when stable conditions of cell penetration are ensured. Figure 1A presents a typical orthodromic action potential evoked by intracellular stimulation, which meets all criteria for data inclusion (the resting membrane potential of at least -50 mV, and spike amplitude higher than 50 mV, with a positive overshoot). Action potential parameters, such as the spike amplitude, t...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about In Vivo Intracellular Recording of Type-Identified Rat Spinal Motoneurons During Trans-Spinal Direct Current Stimulation at JoVE.com

In Vivo Intracellular Recording of Type-Identified Rat Spinal Motoneurons During Trans-Spinal Direct Current Stimulation

This protocol describes in vivo intracellular recording of rat lumbar motoneurons with simultaneous trans-spinal direct current stimulation. The method enables us to measure membrane properties and to record rhythmic firing of motoneurons before, during and after anodal or cathodal polarization of the spinal cord.

Intracellular recording of spinal motoneurons in vivo provides a &#8220;gold standard&#8221; for determining the cells&#8217; electrophysiological ...

This protocol uses intracellular recordings of spinal motoneurons, to directly investigate the influence of trans-spinal direct current stimulation on the function of spinal networks. The major advantage of this technique is that it allows intracellular recordings to be performed on fully mature nervous system. Facilitating translation of the experimental observations to practical applications.After confirming a lack of response to pedal reflex, an anesthetized six month old male Wistar rat, use a dissecting microscope and a number 21 blade, to make a longitudinal skin incision from the sternum to the chin. And use blunt dissection to expose the right jugular vein. Place two, 4-0 ligatures beneath the section of the vein without branching points.And make one loose knot on the proximal end of the vein segment. And one loose knot on the distal end of the segment. Clamp the vein proximal to the heart, and ligate the distal end of the vein.Use iris scissors to make an incision between the clamp and the distal ligature. And, holding a flap of the vein, introduce a pre-filled catheter to the point where the vein is blocked by the clamp. Then remove the clamp and push the catheter several millimeters into the vein.For a tracheal tube placement, use blunt forceps to separate the two mandibular glands covering the sternohyoid muscles. And separate the sternohyoid muscles at the midline, to expose the trachea. Place three, 4-0 ligatures beneath the trachea, and make two knots below the tracheal tube insertion point and one knot above.Then insert a tracheal tube into the trachea below the third tracheal cartilage. And secure the tube in place with the pre-prepared ligatures. To dissect the hind limb nerves, use a number 21 blade to make a longitudinal cut on the posterior side of the left hind limb, from the Achilles tendon to the hip.And use scissors to make a cut between the anterior and posterior regions of the popliteal fossa, at the back of the knee joint. Cut two heads of the biceps femoris, to expose the sciatic nerve. And separate the lateral head from the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle, to expose the tibial nerve and its branches.Then use number 55 forceps, to carefully dissect the medial gastrocnemius and the lateral gastrocnemius and soleus nerves. Disconnecting them from the surrounding tissues while maintaining their connection to the respective of muscles. To perform the laminectomy, use a number 21 blade to make a longitudinal incision from the sacrum up to the thoracic vertebrae.And identify the Th13 vertebra, as a lowest thoracic segment with a rib insertion. Then use fine rongeurs to remove the spinous processes and laminae from the Th13 to the L2 vertebrae, to expose the lumbar segments of the spinal cord. To fix the vertebral column, place the rat into a custom made frame on a 37 degrees Celsius heating pad, connected to a closed loop heating system.And use the skin flaps to form a deep pool over the exposed spinal cord. Place metal clamps below the Th12 transverse processes, and at the L3 spinous processes, and fill the pool with 37 degrees Celsius mineral oil. Use the skin flaps to make a deep pool of mineral oil over the exposed tibial, medial gastrocnemius and lateral gastrocnemius and soleus nerves.And place the nerves on bipolar silver wire stimulating electrodes. Then connect the electrodes to a square pulse stimulator using separate stimulation channels for each nerve. For a surface electrode placement, under the dissecting microscope, place a silver ball electrode on the left caudal side of the exposed spinal cord.With a reference electrode inserted in the back muscles. And connect both electrodes to the differential DC amplifier. Use a constant current stimulator to stimulate the medial gastrocnemius and lateral gastrocnemius and soleus nerves, with square pulses of a 0.1 millisecond duration repeated at a three hertz frequency and observe the afferent volleys.At the end of the simulation, move the surface electrode rostrally, and repeat the stimulation to identify the spinal segments at which the amplitudes of the volleys are the highest for each nerve. After determining the location of the maximum volley, deliver a neuromuscular blocker intravenously to paralyze the rat. While an assistant connects the tracheal tube to an external ventilator in line with a rodent compatible cap nominator.To open the dura and pia mater, use number 55 forceps to gently lift the dura mater, and cut the tissue caudally from the L5 segment, rostrally up to the L4 segment. Then use a pair of ultra thin 5SF forceps, to make a small patch in the pia, covering the dorsal column between the blood vessels. Exactly at the level of the maximum afferent volley from the medial gastrocnemius and lateral gastrocnemius and soleus nerve.To place the trans-spinal direct current stimulation electrodes, place a saline soaked sponge on the dorsal side of the Th12 vertebrae. And use fine manipulation to press the sponge with an active trans-spinal direct current stimulation electrode. Then mount a custom pooled microelectrode, onto the micro manipulator, allowing a one to two micron stepping movement and stereotaxic calibration.And drive a micropipette tip into a selected patch in the pia, at a 15 to 20 degree medial lateral angle. To record the motoneuron membrane and firing properties, in the bridge mode of the intracellular amplifier, stimulate the respective nerve branches to identify the motoneuron on the basis of the all or nothing appearance, of the antidromic action potential. In the discontinuous current clamp mode of the intracellular amplifier with a current switch rate mode four to eight kilohertz, use a 0.5 millisecond intracellular depolarizing current pulses, to evoke an orthodontic action potential, in the motoneuron.To calculate the cell input resistance, stimulate a motoneuron, with 40 short 100 millisecond pulses of hyperpolarizing one nanogram current. To determine the real base value as the minimum amplitude of the depolarizing current required to elicit a single spike, stimulate a motoneuron with 50 millisecond square wave pulses at increasing amplitudes. Then inject 500 millisecond square wave pulses of depolarizing current, at increasing amplitudes.In 0.1 to two nano amp steps, to evoke rhythmic discharges of motoneurons. For a trans-spinal direct current stimulation, start the polarization procedures by trans-spinal application of direct current, while maintaining a stable penetration of the motoneuron. Here, a typical orthotropic action potential, evoked by intracellular stimulation that meets all of the criteria for data inclusion is shown.In this analysis, a cell response to a 100 millisecond hyperpolarizing current pulse of one nanogram. From which both the peak and plateau input resistance of a motoneuron, can be determined from the voltage deflection, can be observed. This expanded voltage trace of a real basic spike, exhibits a clearly marked voltage threshold of the spike.Indicating the level of membrane depolarization at which voltage gated sodium channels are activated to initiate the action potential. These graphs provide examples of intracellular voltage traces. From two motoneurons, stimulated intracellularly with 500 millisecond square pulses of depolarizing current.Before, during, and after a trans-spinal direct current stimulation application. Anodal trans-spinal direct current stimulation was found to act toward an increased motoneuron excitability and higher frequencies of rhythmic firing. While cathodal trans-spinal direct current stimulation, acted to towards firing inhibition.Moreover, the effects of both types of trans-spinal direct current stimulation, outlasted the period of polarization. Inaccurate data can be acquired, if the data inclusion criteria are compromised due to imperfect cell penetration. A failure to compensate the microelectrode resistance and capacitance or a spinal cord instability.It is imperative that no damage is done to the spinal cord during the dissection as injury can result in spinal shock, making further recordings impossible. It is possible to harvest tissue samples for further histological or immuno cyto chemical analysis. For example, the measurement of c-fos expression can be used as a proxy of neuronal activity.

in-vivo-intracellular-recording-type-identified-rat-spinal

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

Electrode Positioning and Montage in Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a technique that has been intensively investigated in the past decade as this method offers a non-invasive and safe alternative to change cortical excitability2. The effects of one session of tDCS can last for several minutes, and its effects depend on polarity of stimulation, such as that cathodal stimulation induces a decrease in cortical excitability, and anodal stimulation induces an increase in cortical excitability that may last beyond the duration of stimulation6. These effects have been explored in cognitive neuroscience and also clinically in a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders &#x2013; especially when applied over several consecutive sessions4. One area that has been attracting attention of neuroscientists and clinicians is the use of tDCS for modulation of pain-related neural networks3,5. Modulation of two main cortical areas in pain research has been explored: primary motor cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex7. Due to the critical role of electrode montage, in this article, we show different alternatives for electrode placement for tDCS clinical trials on pain; discussing advantages and disadvantages of each method of stimulation.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is an established technique to modulate cortical excitability1,2. It has been used as an investigative tool in neuroscience due to its effects on cortical plasticity, easy operation, and safe profile. One area that tDCS has been showing encouraging results is pain alleviation 3-5.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a technique that has been intensively investigated in the past decade as this method offers a ...

Measuring Spinal Presynaptic Inhibition in Mice By Dorsal Root Potential Recording In Vivo

Presynaptic inhibition is one of the most powerful inhibitory mechanisms in the spinal cord. The underlying physiological mechanism is a depolarization of primary afferent fibers mediated by GABAergic axo-axonal synapses (primary afferent depolarization). The strength of primary afferent depolarization can be measured by recording of volume-conducted potentials at the dorsal root (dorsal root potentials, DRP). Pathological changes of presynaptic inhibition are crucial in the abnormal central processing of certain pain conditions and in some disorders of motor hyperexcitability. Here, we describe a method of recording DRP in vivo in mice. The preparation of spinal cord dorsal roots in the anesthetized animal and the recording procedure using suction electrodes are explained. This method allows measuring GABAergic DRP and thereby estimating spinal presynaptic inhibition in the living mouse. In combination with transgenic mouse models, DRP recording may serve as a powerful tool to investigate disease-associated spinal pathophysiology. In vivo recording has several advantages compared to ex vivo isolated spinal cord preparations, e.g. the possibility of simultaneous recording or manipulation of supraspinal networks and induction of DRP by stimulation of peripheral nerves.

Measuring Spinal Presynaptic Inhibition in Mice By Dorsal Root Potential Recording In Vivo

GABAergic presynaptic inhibition is a powerful inhibitory mechanism in the spinal cord important for motor and sensory signal integration in spinal cord networks. Underlying primary afferent depolarization can be measured by recording of dorsal root potentials (DRP). Here we demonstrate a method of in vivo recording of DRP in mice.

Presynaptic inhibition is one of the most powerful inhibitory mechanisms in the spinal cord. The underlying physiological mechanism is a depolarization of ...

Direct-current Stimulation and Multi-electrode Array Recording of Seizure-like Activity in Mice Brain Slice Preparation

Cathodal transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) induces suppressive effects on drug-resistant seizures. To perform effective actions, the stimulation parameters (e.g., orientation, field strength, and stimulation duration) need to be examined in mice brain slice preparations. Testing and arranging the orientation of the electrode relative to the position of the mice brain slice are feasible. The present method preserves the thalamocingulate pathway to evaluate the effect of DCS on anterior cingulate cortex seizure-like activities. The results of the multichannel array recordings indicated that cathodal DCS significantly decreased the amplitude of the stimulation-evoked responses and duration of 4-aminopyridine and bicuculline-induced seizure-like activity. This study also found that cathodal DCS applications at 15 min caused long-term depression in the thalamocingulate pathway. The present study investigates the effects of DCS on thalamocingulate synaptic plasticity and acute seizure-like activities. The current procedure can test the optimal stimulation parameters including orientation, field strength, and stimulation duration in an in vitro mouse model. Also, the method can evaluate the effects of DCS on cortical seizure-like activities at both the cellular and network levels.

Studies have shown that cathodal transcranial direct-current stimulation can produce suppressive effects on drug-resistant seizures. In this study, an in vitro experimental setup was devised in which the direct-current stimulation and multielectrode array recording of seizure-like activity were evaluated in mice brain slice preparation. The direct-current stimulation parameters were evaluated.

Cathodal transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) induces suppressive effects on drug-resistant seizures. To perform effective actions, the ...

Electrophysiological Method for Recording Intracellular Voltage Responses of Drosophila Photoreceptors and Interneurons to Light Stimuli In Vivo

Voltage responses of insect photoreceptors and visual interneurons can be accurately recorded with conventional sharp microelectrodes. The method described here enables the investigator to measure long-lasting (from minutes to hours) high-quality intracellular responses from single Drosophila R1-R6 photoreceptors and Large Monopolar Cells (LMCs) to light stimuli. Because the recording system has low noise, it can be used to study variability among individual cells in the fly eye, and how their outputs reflect the physical properties of the visual environment. We outline all key steps in performing this technique. The basic steps in constructing an appropriate electrophysiology set-up for recording, such as design and selection of the experimental equipment are described. We also explain how to prepare for recording by making appropriate (sharp) recording and (blunt) reference electrodes. Details are given on how to fix an intact fly in a bespoke fly-holder, prepare a small window in its eye and insert a recording electrode through this hole with minimal damage. We explain how to localize the center of a cell's receptive field, dark- or light-adapt the studied cell, and to record its voltage responses to dynamic light stimuli. Finally, we describe the criteria for stable normal recordings, show characteristic high-quality voltage responses of individual cells to different light stimuli, and briefly define how to quantify their signaling performance. Many aspects of the method are technically challenging and require practice and patience to master. But once learned and optimized for the investigator's experimental objectives, it grants outstanding in vivo neurophysiological data.

Electrophysiological Method for Recording Intracellular Voltage Responses of Drosophila Photoreceptors and Interneurons to Light Stimuli In Vivo

Sharp microelectrodes enable accurate electrophysiological characterization of photoreceptor and visual interneuron output in living Drosophila. Here we show how to use this method to record high-quality voltage responses of individual cells to controlled light stimulation. This method is ideal for studying neural information processing in insect compound eyes.

Voltage responses of insect photoreceptors and visual interneurons can be accurately recorded with conventional sharp microelectrodes. The method ...

Remotely Supervised Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: An Update on Safety and Tolerability

The remotely supervised tDCS (RS-tDCS) protocol enables participation from home through guided and monitored self-administration of tDCS treatment while maintaining clinical standards. The current consensus regarding the efficacy of tDCS is that multiple treatment sessions are needed to observe targeted behavioral reductions in symptom burden. However, the requirement for patients to travel to clinic daily for stimulation sessions presents a major obstacle for potential participants, due to work or family obligations or limited ability to travel. This study presents a protocol that directly overcomes these obstacles by eliminating the need to travel to clinic for daily sessions.
This is an updated protocol for remotely supervised self-administration of tDCS for daily treatment sessions paired with a program of computer-based cognitive training for use in clinical trials. Participants only need to attend clinic twice, for a baseline and study-end visit. At baseline, participants are trained and provided with a study stimulation device, and a small laptop computer. Participants then complete the remainder of their stimulation sessions at home while they are monitored via videoconferencing software.
Participants complete computerized cognitive remediation during stimulation sessions, which may serve a therapeutic role or as a &#34;placeholder&#34; for other computer-based activity. Computers are enabled for real-time monitoring and remote control by study staff.
Outcome measures that assess feasibility and tolerance are administered remotely with the aid of visual analogue scales that are presented onscreen. Following completion of all RS-tDCS sessions, participants return to clinic for a study end visit in which all study equipment is returned.
Results support the safety, feasibility, and scalability of the RS-tDCS protocol for use in clinical trials. Across 46 patients, 748 RS-tDCS sessions have been completed. This protocol serves as a model for use in future clinical trials involving tDCS.

This manuscript provides an updated remote supervision protocol that enables participation in transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) clinical trials while receiving treatment sessions from home. The protocol has been successfully piloted in both patients with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson&#39;s disease.

The remotely supervised tDCS (RS-tDCS) protocol enables participation from home through guided and monitored self-administration of tDCS treatment while ...

The Combined Use of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Robotic Therapy for the Upper Limb

Neurologic disorders such as stroke and cerebral palsy are leading causes of long-term disability and can lead to severe incapacity and restriction of daily activities due to lower and upper limb impairments. Intensive physical and occupational therapy are still considered main treatments, but new adjunct therapies to standard rehabilitation that may optimize functional outcomes are being studied.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that polarizes underlying brain regions through the application of weak direct currents through electrodes on the scalp, modulating cortical excitability. Increased interest in this technique can be attributed to its low cost, ease of use, and effects on human neural plasticity. Recent research has been performed to determine the clinical potential of tDCS in diverse conditions such as depression, Parkinson&#39;s disease, and motor rehabilitation after stroke. tDCS helps enhance brain plasticity and seems to be a promising technique in rehabilitation programs.
A number of robotic devices have been developed to assist in the rehabilitation of upper limb function after stroke. The rehabilitation of motor deficits is often a long process requiring multidisciplinary approaches for a patient to achieve maximum independence. These devices do not intend to replace manual rehabilitation therapy; instead, they were designed as an additional tool to rehabilitation programs, allowing immediate perception of results and tracking of improvements, thus helping patients to stay motivated.
Both tDSC and robot-assisted therapy are promising add-ons to stroke rehabilitation and target the modulation of brain plasticity, with several reports describing their use to be associated with conventional therapy and the improvement of therapeutic outcomes. However, more recently, some small clinical trials have been developed that describe the associated use of tDCS and robot-assisted therapy in stroke rehabilitation. In this article, we describe the combined methods used in our institute for improving motor performance after stroke.

The combined use of transcranial direct current stimulation and robotic therapy as an add-on for conventional rehabilitation therapy may result in improved therapeutic outcomes due to modulation of brain plasticity. In this article, we describe the combined methods used in our institute for improving motor performance after stroke.

Neurologic disorders such as stroke and cerebral palsy are leading causes of long-term disability and can lead to severe incapacity and restriction of ...

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Mice

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique proposed as an alternative or complementary treatment for several neuropsychiatric diseases. The biological effects of tDCS are not fully understood, which is in part explained due to the difficulty in obtaining human brain tissue. This protocol describes a tDCS mouse model that uses a chronically implanted electrode allowing the study of the long-lasting biological effects of tDCS. In this experimental model, tDCS changes the cortical gene expression and offers a prominent contribution to the understanding of the rationale for its therapeutic use.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation tDCS in Mice

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a therapeutic technique proposed to treat psychiatric diseases. An animal model is essential for understanding the specific biological alterations evoked by tDCS. This protocol describes a tDCS mouse model that uses a chronically implanted electrode.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique proposed as an alternative or complementary treatment for ...

Direct Injection of a Lentiviral Vector Highlights Multiple Motor Pathways in the Rat Spinal Cord

Introducing proteins of interest into cells in the nervous system is challenging due to innate biological barriers that limit access to most molecules. Injection directly into spinal cord tissue bypasses these barriers, providing access to cell bodies or synapses where molecules can be incorporated. Combining viral vector technology with this method allows for introduction of target genes into nervous tissue for the purpose of gene therapy or tract tracing. Here a virus engineered for highly efficient retrograde transport (HiRet) is introduced at the synapses of propriospinal interneurons (PNs) to encourage specific transport to neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem nuclei. Targeting PNs takes advantage of the numerous connections they receive from motor pathways such as the rubrospinal and reticulospinal tracts, as well as their interconnection with each other throughout spinal cord segments. Representative tracing using the HiRet vector with constitutively active green fluorescent protein (GFP) shows high fidelity details of cell bodies, axons and dendritic arbors in thoracic PNs and in reticulospinal neurons in the pontine reticular formation. HiRet incorporates well into brainstem pathways and PNs but shows age dependent integration into corticospinal tract neurons. In summary, spinal cord injection using viral vectors is a suitable method for introduction of proteins of interest into neurons of targeted tracts.

This protocol demonstrates injection of a retrogradely transportable viral vector into rat spinal cord tissue. The vector is taken up at the synapse and transported to the cell body of target neurons. This model is suitable for retrograde tracing of important spinal pathways or targeting cells for gene therapy applications.

Introducing proteins of interest into cells in the nervous system is challenging due to innate biological barriers that limit access to most molecules. ...

Stimulation Location Determination using a 3D Digitizer with High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

The abundance of neuroimaging data and rapid development of machine learning has made it possible to investigate brain activation patterns. However, causal evidence of brain area activation leading to a behavior is often left missing. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), which can temporarily alter brain cortical excitability and activity, is a noninvasive neurophysiological tool used to study causal relationships in the human brain. High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) technique that produces a more focal current compared to conventional tDCS. Traditionally, the stimulation location has been roughly determined through the 10-20 EEG system, because determining precise stimulation points can be difficult. This protocol uses a 3D digitizer with HD-tDCS to increase accuracy in determination of stimulation points. The method is demonstrated using a 3D digitizer for more accurate localization of stimulation points in the right temporo-parietal junction (rTPJ).

Presented here is a protocol to achieve higher accuracy in determination of stimulation location combining a 3D digitizer with high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation.

The abundance of neuroimaging data and rapid development of machine learning has made it possible to investigate brain activation patterns. However, ...

Simultaneous Application of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation during Virtual Reality Exposure

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of non-invasive brain stimulation that changes the likelihood of neuronal firing through modulation of neural resting membranes. Compared to other techniques, tDCS is relatively safe, cost-effective, and can be administered while individuals are engaged in controlled, specific cognitive processes. This latter point is important as tDCS may predominantly affect intrinsically active neural regions. In an effort to test tDCS as a potential treatment for psychiatric illness, the protocol described here outlines a novel procedure that allows the simultaneous application of tDCS during exposure to trauma-related cues using virtual reality (tDCS+VR) for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (NCT03372460). In this double-blind protocol, participants are assigned to either receive 2 mA tDCS, or sham stimulation, for 25 minutes while passively watching three 8-minute standardized virtual reality drives through Iraq or Afghanistan, with virtual reality events increasing in intensity during each drive. Participants undergo six sessions of tDCS+VR over the course of 2-3 weeks, and psychophysiology (skin conductance reactivity) is measured throughout each session. This allows testing for within and between session changes in hyperarousal to virtual reality events and adjunctive effects of tDCS. Stimulation is delivered through a built-in rechargeable battery-driven tDCS device using a 1 (anode) x 1 (cathode) unilateral electrode set-up. Each electrode is placed in a 3 x 3 cm (current density 2.22 A/m2) reusable sponge pocket saturated with 0.9% normal saline. Sponges with electrodes are attached to the participant&#8217;s skull using a rubber headband with the electrodes placed such that they target regions within the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. The virtual reality headset is placed over the tDCS montage in such a way as to avoid electrode interference.

This manuscript outlines a novel protocol to allow the simultaneous application of transcranial direct current stimulation during exposure to warzone trauma-related cues using virtual reality for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder.