Deep Brain Stimulation as a Treatment for Drug Addiction in a Rat Model

Abstract

Source: Batra, V., et al. A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration. J. Vis. Exp. (2016).

This video demonstrates a rat model of drug addiction in which the animal self-administers intravenous methamphetamine by pressing a lever, leading to compulsive drug-seeking behavior driven by dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens. To counteract this, the rat undergoes deep brain stimulation (DBS) via an implanted bipolar electrode, delivering high-frequency pulses to inhibit hyperactive neurons in the nucleus accumbens. The effects of DBS are then evaluated by observing changes in drug-seeking behavior, revealing its potential to reduce addiction-related responses.

Protocol

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

1. Rodent Acclimation and Food Restriction

1. Use adult Wistar rats that are 3 months old at the start of the experiment. House rats singly in cages equipped with a laminar flow unit and air filter in a temperature- and humidity-controlled, American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC)-accredited animal care facility on a reversed 12-hr light/dark cycle (lights off at 0600 hr).
2. Provide water and standard rodent chow freely until body weights are approximately 380 – 400 g. Su....

Results

Figure 1. Visual Programming Language. The investigator uses a visual programmi.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Rodent operant chambers	Med Associates, Inc	ENV-008CT	Med Associates Inc. PO Box 319 St. Albans, Vermont 05478 USA Phone: (802) 527-2343
Kopf Small Animal Stereotaxic Instrument with Digital Display Console	Kopf Instruments	Model 940	Kopf Phone: 1-877-352-3275 Fax: 1-818-352-3275 Email: sales@kopfinstruments.net
Z-Series 3-DSP Bioamp Processor	Tucker Davis Technologies	RZ5D	Tucker-Davis Technologies 11930 Research Circle Alachua, FL 32615 USA Ph: 386-462-9622 www.tdt.com
Z-Series 32-Channel Stimulator	Tucker Davis Technologies	IZ2-32	Software is accompanied by a manual that discusses how to program experiments using the OpenEx platform, which can be accessed here: http://www.tdt.com/files/manuals/OpenEx_User_Guide.pdf
48 Volt LI-ION Battery Pack for IZ2 Stimulator	Tucker Davis Technologies	LZ48-200
32-Channel Splitter Box for PZ5	Tucker Davis Technologies	S-BOX_PZ5
OpenEx Ext Software Package for Multi-Channel Neural Recording	Tucker Davis Technologies	OpenEx
Platinum-iridium stimulating electrodes	Plastics One Inc	MS303/8-B/SPC ELECT PT 2C TW .005"	Plastics One Inc P.O.Box 21465, S.W. Roanoke, VA 24018, PH 540-772-7950
2-channel cables between stimulator and commutator	Plastics One Inc	305-441/2 W/ Spring
2-channel cables between commutator and electrode pedestal	Plastics One Inc	305-305 W/ Spring
4-channel commutators	Plastics One Inc	SL2+2C and SL2+SC/SB