Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Mice

Eduardo de Souza Nicolau; Kevin Augusto Farias de Alvarenga; Helia Tenza-Ferrer; Matheus Carvalho Alves Nogueira; Fernanda Donizete Rezende; Nycolle Ferreira Nicolau; M&#233;lcar Collodetti; D&#233;bora Marques de Miranda; Luiz Alexandre Viana Magno; Marco Aur&#233;lio Romano-Silva

doi:10.3791/58517

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Mice

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Neuroscience
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JoVE Journal Neuroscience

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Mice

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11:54 min

September 23, 2018

DOI: 10.3791/58517-v

Eduardo de Souza Nicolau¹, Kevin Augusto Farias de Alvarenga¹, Helia Tenza-Ferrer¹, Matheus Carvalho Alves Nogueira¹, Fernanda Donizete Rezende¹, Nycolle Ferreira Nicolau¹, Mélcar Collodetti¹, Débora Marques de Miranda¹, Luiz Alexandre Viana Magno¹, Marco Aurélio Romano-Silva¹

¹Centro de Tecnologia em Medicina Molecular (CTMM), Faculdade de Medicina,Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais

Overview

This study explores the application of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in an animal model using mice, aimed at investigating the biological effects of tDCS on psychiatric disorders. It provides a detailed protocol for implanting electrodes to facilitate tDCS, highlighting the importance of understanding stimulation parameters and their impact on behavior and biological responses.

Key Study Components

Area of Science

Neuroscience
Psychiatric Disorders
Neurophysiology

Background

tDCS is a non-invasive therapeutic technique.
Investigated for treating disorders such as depression and schizophrenia.
Requires an understanding of biological mechanisms and stimulation parameters.
Studies setup includes anodal and cathodal stimulation configurations.

Purpose of Study

To develop a mouse model for studying the effects of tDCS.
To enhance understanding of stimulation parameters on behavioral outcomes.
To contribute insights into the clinical efficacy of tDCS.

Methods Used

Protocol involves chronically implanted electrodes for tDCS.
Key biological model utilized is mice.
Includes surgical steps for implantation and tDCS application.
Utilizes fast-acting anesthesia for a brief simulation period.
Describes electrode placement for effective current delivery.

Main Results

The protocol allows for targeted delivery of electrical current to study effects.
Seeks to clarify biological responses related to psychiatric disorders.
Highlights challenges in determining optimal stimulation conditions.
Aims to document changes in behavior and neuronal responses through tDCS.

Conclusions

This study establishes a foundational tDCS protocol in a mouse model.
It aids in understanding neuronal mechanisms related to psychiatric conditions.
Contributes to potential therapeutic insights for non-drug interventions in mental health.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the advantages of using a mouse model for tDCS?

Mouse models provide a controlled environment to study the biological effects of tDCS, allowing researchers to isolate variables and examine specific neuronal responses in relation to psychiatric disorders.

How is the electrode placement achieved in mice?

Electrodes are implanted using a stereotaxic apparatus, ensuring precise positioning using anatomical landmarks, which is critical for effective stimulation.

What types of outcomes can be obtained from this method?

Researchers can track electrical activity changes, behavioral alterations, and potentially molecular responses related to psychiatric disorders following tDCS application.

How can this method be adapted for other conditions?

The tDCS protocol can be tailored by altering stimulation parameters such as intensity and duration, or by modifying the biological model to study various neurological conditions.

What are some limitations of tDCS in animal models?

Variability in responsiveness to stimulation across different strains of mice and the potential for differing anatomical features may affect the consistency and applicability of results.

How is anesthesia managed during the procedure?

A mixture of ketamine and xylazine is used for anesthesia induction, allowing for a rapid and effective sedation that minimizes recovery time for the animals.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a therapeutic technique proposed to treat psychiatric diseases. An animal model is essential for understanding the specific biological alterations evoked by tDCS. This protocol describes a tDCS mouse model that uses a chronically implanted electrode.

The Alvar Gaaud Procedure is to apply transcranial direct current stimulation in mice. This achieved by generating low intense currents from a direct current generator, and sending it down directly to the animal through electrodes. tDCS has been investigated as a non-drug therapeutical alternative for main psychiatric disorders in humans, such as depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer disease, AHDH, and autism.

Moreover, tDCS is a unique technique due to its low cost, ease of use, and non-invasive profile. However, the biological effects of tDCS are not entirely understood, and there is no consensus regarding stimulation parameters, such as current intensity, duration, and tile of brain areas. Therefor, the use of minimum orders is essential for a thorough study of such mechanisms, which will lead to a better understanding of the clinical efficacy of tDCS through the acquisition and analysis of behavior cellular and molecular data.

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