Establishing a Device for Sleep Deprivation in Mice

The mechanisms underlying the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation remain largely unknown, and establishing sleep deprivation models is essential to enhance our understanding in this regard. This method, they are cheap, effective, minimally stressful, controllable, and automated. The current protocol allows us to create a rocker platform based device at a cost approximately 10 times cheaper than that of orbital shakers based on our accessibility.

Begin by securing one end of a 50-centimeter slotted steel channel at the middle of a 40-centimeter slotted steel channel with screws. This will make a T-shaped structure. Position the two T-shaped structures upright 30 centimeters apart.

Connect the bottoms of structures with a 30-centimeter screw-compatible steel cylinder using screws. Then place a steel rectangle platform in between the two T-shaped structures. Secure each end of a 30-centimeter screw-compatible steel cylinder with two bearings.

Using screws, fix a motor mount on one of the T-shaped structures 25 centimeters down from the top. Now install a motor onto this motor mount with screws. Secure a cooling fan with self-locking bands on the T-shaped structure below the motor.

Using screws, fix the bearing end of a connecting rod to a platform corner facing the motor and the other end to the motor shaft. Next, use an electric drill to make two four-millimeter holes at each corner of a plastic container. On the left side of the container, drill two additional four-millimeter holes, along with one lower six-millimeter hole.

Lock the plastic container on the rectangle platform using self-locking bands through the drilled corner holes. Secure the water bottle on the left side of the plastic container using self-locking bands through the two four-millimeter holes, with the nozzle going through the six-millimeter hole. Now connect the output electrical wires of the power brick adapter to the two terminals of the motor.

Then connect the input wires to the time contactor. Press the rightmost sign buttons on the left and right halves of the time contactor respectively until M appears on the mechanical counters on both sides. Follow this action by pressing the middle sign buttons on both halves of the time contactor until 5M appears on the mechanical counters.

Complete this setup by pressing the leftmost sign button on the left half of the time contactor until 15M appears on the left mechanical counter. Next, place the mouse in the cage. Then power the time contactor and the cooling fan.

At day seven after sleep deprivation commencement, EEG and EMG monitoring indicated that the sleep deprivation device significantly reduced sleep duration and increased wakefulness duration in mice. Compared to the control, increased levels of successful sleep deprivation markers such as adenosine buildup and Homer1a mRNA levels in the brain were observed. However, no significant changes in serum corticosterone levels were observed.

After seven days of sleep deprivation, a significant decrease in mice size, body, and thymus weight was observed. Additionally, glucose tolerance was significantly impaired in mice after sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation also revealed a significant change in the expression patterns of clock genes in the brain, indicating a disruption of the molecular clock.

Balance of the connecting rod and the relative position of the connecting rod between the steel rectangle platform and the motor are the most important things. The researcher can use this technique to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of sleep deprivation on various health conditions.