Monitoring Dopamine Release in a Rat Model with VTA Dopaminergic Neuron Receptor Manipulation
Transcription
Begin with an immobilized, anesthetized rat with an activated carbon microelectrode implanted in the nucleus accumbens or NAc region and a reference wire in the left hemisphere.
These electrodes are connected to a potentiostat, which measures dopamine-generated electrical signals.
A stimulating electrode with a guide cannula is implanted into the ventral tegmental area or VTA, targeting dopaminergic neurons that project into the NAc region.
Apply electrical pulses via the stimulating electrode that activate the VTA neurons, releasing dopamine, a chemical messenger, into the NAc region.
In the NAc region, dopamine interacts with the carbon electrode and undergoes oxidation and reduction, generating baseline electrical signals.
Insert an internal cannula into the guide cannula to infuse either an activator or an inhibitor drug.
The activator drug stimulates the VTA neurons, increasing dopamine release and elevating electrical signals.
In contrast, the inhibitory drug decreases the electrical signal by preventing dopamine release.
