High-Frequency Stimulation to Enhance Neuronal Activation and Neurogenesis in the Mouse Dentate Gyrus

Abstract

Source: Zhao, Z. et al. An Invasive Method for the Activation of the Mouse Dentate Gyrus by High-frequency Stimulation. J. Vis. Exp. (2018)

This video demonstrates the protocol for delivering high-frequency deep brain stimulation to a mouse hippocampal dentate gyrus, detailing its effects on neuronal activation, synaptic plasticity, and neurogenesis.

Protocol

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

1. High-Frequency Stimulation Delivery
   1. Connect the electrode implanted in the mouse brain to a programmable stimulator via leads. Set up the software interface as presented in Figure 1. Set the high-frequency stimulation (HFS) parameters as 6 series of 6 trains of 6 pulses at 400 Hz (Figure 2B, 100 ms between the trains, 20 s between the series). Set the stimulation intensity to 200 μA.
   2. Deliver an HFS for the desired period of time as set up. Deliver the stimulation 2x a day at 8:00 a.m. and at 8:00 p.m.
   3. For the control group, implant electrodes in the mice and do not perform stimulation.
   4. For the c-fos staining, stimulate the experimental mice acutely (2x per day). For the bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling, divide the experimental mice into an acute stimulation group (applied 2x per day) and a chronic stimulation group (applied 10x in 5 days, 2x per day). During the course of the stimulation, make sure the mouse is awake. Remember to ensure the leads are not twisted.
      NOTE: At the last day of the procedure, the mice in the acute stimulation group were stimulated simultaneously.
   5. When the stimulation is done, carefully disconnect the electrode pin from the electrode holder and the connector of the recording system.

Results

Figure1. Interface and parameters of the multistimulator. The stimulator was connect...

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Stimulator	A-M systems	Model 3800	MultiStim 8-Channel programmable stimulator
Digidata 1550 Digitizer	Molecular Devices	AXON 1550	High-resolution data acquisition