Assessment of Excitatory Neurotransmitter Levels in Chronic Epilepsy-Induced Rats

Abstract

Source: Soukupová, M., et al. Microdialysis of Excitatory Amino Acids During EEG Recordings in Freely Moving Rats. J. Vis. Exp. (2018)

This video demonstrates the assessment of extracellular excitatory neurotransmitter levels in rats with chronic epilepsy induction. After implanting a microdialysis probe into the brain and confirming the absence of seizures using electroencephalography (EEG), extracellular fluid is collected to evaluate elevated neurotransmitter levels in epileptic rats. A high-potassium solution is then infused to sustain neuronal excitability and trigger an increased release of neurotransmitters, with samples collected to assess the potassium-induced peak in excitatory neurotransmitters.

Protocol

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

This protocol is specifically adjusted for glutamate and aspartate determination in rat brain dialysates obtained under EEG control of microdialysis sessions in epileptic and non-epileptic rats. Many of the materials described here may be easily replaced with those that one uses in his laboratory for EEG recordings or microdialysis.

1. Assembly of the Microdialysis Probe-electrode Device

1. Use a 3-channel two-twisted electrode (with at least 20 mm cut length of the registering electrode and a 10 cm long grou....

Results

Figure 1. Step-by-step preparation of the device to be implanted. (A) 3-channel electrode with 10 cm lon.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
3-channel two-twisted electrode	Invivo1, Plastic One, Roanoke, Virginia, USA	MS333/3-B/SPC	Material
guide cannula	Agn Tho's, Lindigö, Sweden	MAB 4.15.IC	Material
Resin KK2 Plastik	Elettra Sport, Lecco, Italy	KK2	Material
Super Attack gel Loctite	Henkel Italia Srl, Milano, Italy	2047420_71941	Material
Imalgene-Ketamine	Merial, Toulouse, France	221300288 (AIC)	Solution
Xylazine	Sigma, Milano, Italy	X1251	Material
Isoflurane-Vet	Merial, Toulouse, France	103120022 (AIC)	Solution
Altadol 50 mg/ ml - tramadol	Formevet, Milano, Italy	103703017 (AIC)	Solution
Gentalyn 0.1% crm - gentamycine	MSD Italia, Roma, Italy	20891077 (AIC)	Material
simplex rapid dental cement	Kemdent, Associated Dental Products Ltd, Swindon, United Kingdom	ACR811	Material
GlasIonomer CX-Plus Cement	Shofu, Kyoto, Japan	PN1167	Material
probe clip holder	Agn Tho's, Lindigö, Sweden	p/n 100 5001	Equipment
Histoacryl® Blue Topical Skin Adhesive	TissueSeal, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA	TS1050044FP	Material
Valium 10 mg/2 ml - diazepam	Roche, Monza, Italy	019995063 (AIC)	Material
1 mL syringe with 25G needle	Vetrotecnica, Padova, Italy	3	Material
rat flexible feeding needle 17G	Agn Tho's, Lindigö Sweden	7206	Material
Grass Technology apparatus	Grass Technologies, Natus Neurology Incorporated, Pleasanton, California, USA	M665G08	Equipment (AS40 amplifier, head box, interconnecting cables, telefactor model RPSA S40)
modular data acquisition and analysis system MP150	Biopac, Goleta, California, USA	MP150WSW	Equipment
digital video surveillance system	AverMedia Technologies, Fremont, California, USA	V4.7.0041FD	Equipment
microdialysis probe	Agn Tho's, Lindigö Sweden	MAB 4.15.1.Cu	Material
microdialysis probe	Synaptech, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA	S-8010	Material
block heater	Grant Instruments, Cambridge, England	QBD2	Equipment
stirrer	Cecchinato A, Aparecchi Scientifici, Mestre, Italy	711	Equipment
infusion pump	Univentor, Zejtun, Malta	864	Equipment
fine bore polythene tubing	Smiths Medical International Ltd., Keene, New Hampshire, USA	800/100/100/100	Material
blue tubing adapters	Agn Tho's, Lindigö Sweden	1002	Material
red tubing adapters	Agn Tho's, Lindigö Sweden	1003	Material
2.5 mL syringe with 22G needle	Chemil, Padova, Italy	S02G22	Material
vial cap	Cronus, Labicom, Olomouc, Czech Republic	VCA-1004TB-100	Material
septum	Thermo Scientific, Rockwoood, Tennessee, USA	National C4013-60 8 mm TEF/SIL septum	Material
glass insert with bottom spring	Supelco, Sigma, Milano, Italy	27400-U	Material
autosampler vial	National Scientific, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Monza, Italy	C4013-2	Material
Smartline manager 5000 system controller and degasser unit	Knauer, Berlin, Germany	V7602	Equipment
Smartline 1000 quaternary gradient pump	Knauer, Berlin, Germany	V7603	Equipment
Ringer solution	composition in mM: MgCl2 0.85, KCl 2.7, NaCl 148, CaCl2 1.2, 0.3% BSA		Solution
modified Ringer solution	composition in mM: MgCl2 0.85, KCl 100, NaCl 50.7, CaCl2 1.2, 0.3% BSA		Solution
saline	0.9% NaCl, ph adjusted to 7.0		Solution
sucrose solution	10% sucrose in distilled water		Solution