Microinjection-Based Delivery of a Therapeutic Agent into an Awake Rodent Brain

Abstract

Source: Poland, R. et al. Rodent Brain Microinjection to Study Molecular Substrates of Motivated Behavior. J. Vis. Exp. (2015)

In this video, a water-filled microinjection setup consisting of a syringe and microinjector tubing is used for precise drug delivery. A rat with a pre-implanted guide cannula undergoes targeted brain microinjection, enabling accurate administration of therapeutic agents in awake animals with minimal tissue damage.

Protocol

All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board.

1. Preparing the microinjection syringe and microinjector for injection:
   1. Lock each gastight microinjection syringe into the rack of the microinjection pump.
   2. Place the tip of the gastight syringe into the sterile water contained in a small weigh boat and gently flutter the plunger to lubricate the internal wire. Evenly pull the plunger to the backstop on the pump to fill it with water.
   3. Slide the PE20 tubing that is connected to the microinjector onto a 26 G (brown hub) needle attached....

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Cannula Tubing	Amazon Supply/ Small Parts	HTXX-26T-60	26 gauge, Hypotube S/S 316-TW 26GA
Obturator	Amazon Supply/ Small Parts	GWXX-0080-30-05	33 gauge, Wire S/S 316LVM 0.008 IN
Microinjector Wire	MicroGroup	33RW 304	33 gauge
Super Glue	Loctite	3924AC	Liquid, Non-gel, can be autoclaved
Microinjector Plastic Tubing	Becton Dickson	427406	PE20
Medium Weight Hemostats	World Precision Instruments	501241-G
Ruler	Fisher	09-016	150 mm
Forceps	Stoelting	52100-77	Dumont, Dumostar
Rotary Tool	Dremmel	285	Two-speeds
Cut-off Disc	McMaster Carr	3602	15/16" x 0.025"
Microinjection Pump	Harvard Apparatus	PhD 2000
1 ul Glass Syringe	Hamilton	7001KH	Needle Style: 25s/2.75"/3
Cotton Tipped Applicator	Fisher	23-400-101
Lab Wipes	Kimwipes	34133
Operant Software	Coulbourn	Graphic State
Operant Chambers	Coulborun	Habitest