Chemogenetic Silencing of Neuronal Activity in a Neonatal Mouse

Place an anesthetized neonatal pup on a heating pad.

Disinfect the scalp with ethanol.

Fill a syringe with a viral solution containing adeno-associated viruses carrying the gene for a drug-activated inhibitory receptor and a tracking dye.

Align the syringe tip with the pup’s head and slowly inject the virus into the brain for even distribution.

Allow the pup to recover.

During incubation, viral particles enter neurons and release their genetic material into the nucleus.

It leads to inhibitory receptor expression on the neuronal membrane.

These receptors associate with ion channels but do not affect neuronal signaling until activated.

Next, administer the target drug subcutaneously into the pup’s neck over several days.

The drug crosses the blood-brain barrier and binds to the inhibitory receptors.

This triggers a chemogenetic response, altering ion flow across the neuronal membrane and silencing neuronal signaling.

This chemogenetic silencing models brain disorders and helps study abnormal brain activity.