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A rotating operant chamber for use with microdialysis
Tijdschriftbijdrage - Tijdschriftartikel
Background
Recently, the time resolution of microdialysis followed by a chemical separation for quantitative analysis has improved. The advent of faster microdialysis measurements promises to aid in behavioral research on awake animals. However, microdialysis with awake animals generally employs a fluidic commutator (swivel). The swivel's volume is inimical to the time resolution of the measurements.
New method
Animals can be housed in rotating cages so that the swivel is not required, but rotating operant chambers are not available. Here we describe the design and construction of a rotating operant chamber with microdialysis capability. We modified a rotating cage by adding operant behavior testing components to the side of the bowl-shaped cage. A modular on-board controller facilitates operant component/computer communication. A battery provides power to the controller and the operant components. The battery and controller rotate with the cage, and the controller communicates with the computer wirelessly.
Results
The rotating operant chamber can be used to train a rat to retrieve a sucrose pellet following a cue. Microdialysis and online liquid chromatography can be used to measure dopamine at one minute intervals while the rat moves freely and interacts with operant behavior testing components.
Comparison with existing method(s)
We are not aware of one-minute dopamine measurements in awake animals in an operant chamber.
Conclusions
Rotating cage modifications are straightforward. One-minute observations of striatal dopamine can be accomplished while an animal is awake, moving, and interacting with its surroundings.
Recently, the time resolution of microdialysis followed by a chemical separation for quantitative analysis has improved. The advent of faster microdialysis measurements promises to aid in behavioral research on awake animals. However, microdialysis with awake animals generally employs a fluidic commutator (swivel). The swivel's volume is inimical to the time resolution of the measurements.
New method
Animals can be housed in rotating cages so that the swivel is not required, but rotating operant chambers are not available. Here we describe the design and construction of a rotating operant chamber with microdialysis capability. We modified a rotating cage by adding operant behavior testing components to the side of the bowl-shaped cage. A modular on-board controller facilitates operant component/computer communication. A battery provides power to the controller and the operant components. The battery and controller rotate with the cage, and the controller communicates with the computer wirelessly.
Results
The rotating operant chamber can be used to train a rat to retrieve a sucrose pellet following a cue. Microdialysis and online liquid chromatography can be used to measure dopamine at one minute intervals while the rat moves freely and interacts with operant behavior testing components.
Comparison with existing method(s)
We are not aware of one-minute dopamine measurements in awake animals in an operant chamber.
Conclusions
Rotating cage modifications are straightforward. One-minute observations of striatal dopamine can be accomplished while an animal is awake, moving, and interacting with its surroundings.
Tijdschrift: J Neurosci Methods
ISSN: 0165-0270
Volume: 326
Pagina's: 108387-108394
Jaar van publicatie:2019
Trefwoorden:Dopamine, Conditioning, Online microdialysis, Cue
CSS-citation score:1
Toegankelijkheid:Closed