The City College of New York View Institution's Website 16 articles published in JoVE Neuroscience Using Home-based, Remotely Supervised, Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Phantom Limb Pain Kevin Pacheco-Barrios*1,2, Daniela Martinez-Magallanes*1, Cristina Xicota Naqui1,3, Marianna Daibes1, Elly Pichardo1, Alejandra Cardenas-Rojas1, David Crandell4, Anahita Dua5, Abhishek Datta6,7, Wolnei Caumo8,9,10, Felipe Fregni1 1Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 2Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Unidad de Investigación para la Generación y Síntesis de Evidencias en Salud, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, 3Nursing Department, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 4Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 5Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 6Research and Development, Soterix Medical, 7City College of New York, 8Post-Graduate Program in Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), 9Laboratory of Pain & Neuromodulation, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), 10Pain and Palliative Care Service, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) The goal of this study is to describe a protocol for the home-based delivery of remotely supervised transcranial direct current stimulation (RS-tDCS) conserving the standard procedures of in-clinic practice, including safety, reproducibility, and tolerability. The participants included will be patients with phantom limb pain (PLP). Neuroscience Measuring Contralateral Silent Period Induced by Single-Pulse Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Investigate M1 Corticospinal Inhibition Ingrid Rebello-Sanchez1, Joao Parente1, Kevin Pacheco-Barrios1,2, Anna Marduy1, Danielle Carolina Pimenta1, Daniel Lima1, Eric Slawka1, Alejandra Cardenas-Rojas1, Gleysson Rodrigues Rosa1, Kamran Nazim3, Abhishek Datta3,4, Felipe Fregni1 1Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 2Universidad de Investigación para la Generación y Síntesis de Evidencia en Salud, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, 3Research and Development, Soterix Medical, 4City College of New York Contralateral silent period (cSP) assessment is a promising biomarker to index cortical excitability and treatment response. We demonstrate a protocol to assess cSP intended for studying M1 corticospinal inhibition of upper and lower limbs. Immunology and Infection Analysis of Somatic Hypermutation in the JH4 intron of Germinal Center B cells from Mouse Peyer's Patches Emily Sible1, Simin Zheng2, Jee Eun Choi1, Bao Q. Vuong1 1Department of Biology, The City College of New York and The Graduate Center of The City University of New York, 2Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Presented here is an assay to quantify somatic hypermutation within the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene locus using germinal center B cells from mouse Peyer’s patches. Biology Sample Preparation for Metabolic Profiling using MALDI Mass Spectrometry Imaging Kelly Veerasammy*1,2, Yuki X. Chen*1,2, Sami Sauma*1, Mathilde Pruvost1, David K. Dansu1, Tenzin Choetso1,2, Tiffany Zhong3, Damien Marechal1, Patrizia Casaccia1, Rinat Abzalimov4,5, Ye He1,5 1The Graduate Center - Advanced Science Research Center, Neuroscience Initiative, The City University of New York, 2The City College of New York, CUNY, 3The Bronx High School of Science, 4The Graduate Center - Advanced Science Research Center, Structural Biology Initiative, The City University of New York, 5The Graduate Center - Advanced Science Research Center, MALDI MS Imaging Joint Core Facility, The City University of New York The goal of this protocol is to provide detailed guidance on the sample preparation when planning for experiments using MALDI MSI to maximize metabolic and molecular detection in biological samples. Medicine Updated Technique for Reliable, Easy, and Tolerated Transcranial Electrical Stimulation Including Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Helen Borges1, Alexandra Dufau1,2, Bhaskar Paneri1, Adam J. Woods3, Helena Knotkova4,5, Marom Bikson1 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, The City College of New York, CUNY, 2Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, 3McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, 4MJHS Institute for Innovation in Palliative Care, 5Department of Family and Social Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine When administering transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), reproducible electrode preparation and placement are vital for a tolerated and effective session. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate updated modern setup procedures for the administration of tDCS and related transcranial electrical stimulation techniques, such as transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). Behavior Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Online Gamers Sang Hoon Lee*1, Jooyeon Jamie Im*2, Jin Kyoung Oh2, Eun Kyoung Choi2, Sujung Yoon3, Marom Bikson4, In-Uk Song5, Hyeonseok Jeong2, Yong-An Chung2 1Department of Radiology, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 2Department of Radiology, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 3Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Ewha Womans University, 4Department of Biomedical Engineering, The City College of New York, 5Department of Neurology, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea We present a protocol and a feasibility study for applying transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and neuroimaging assessment in online gamers. Neuroscience Laboratory Administration of Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS): Technique, Targeting, and Considerations Bashar W. Badran*1,2,3, Alfred B. Yu*2, Devin Adair1, Georgia Mappin3, William H. DeVries3, Dorothea D. Jenkins4, Mark S. George3,5,6, Marom Bikson1 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, City College of New York, 2U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, 3Brain Stimulation Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, 4Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, 5Department of Neurology, Medical University of South Carolina, 6Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center A methodological description of the technique, potential targets, and proper administration of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on the human ear is described. Neuroscience Use of Synaptic Zinc Histochemistry to Reveal Different Regions and Laminae in the Developing and Adult Brain Reem Khalil1, Jonathan B. Levitt2 1Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, American University of Sharjah, 2Department of Biology, The City College of New York We describe a histochemical procedure that reveals characteristic laminar and areal zinc staining patterns in different brain regions. The zinc-staining pattern may be used in conjunction with other anatomical markers to reliably distinguish layers and regions in the developing and adult brain. Neuroscience Remotely Supervised Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: An Update on Safety and Tolerability Michael T. Shaw1, Margaret Kasschau2, Bryan Dobbs1, Natalie Pawlak1, William Pau1, Kathleen Sherman1, Marom Bikson3, Abhishek Datta4, Leigh E. Charvet1 1New York University, Langone Medical Center, 2Stony Brook Medicine, 3City College of New York, 4Soterix Medical This manuscript provides an updated remote supervision protocol that enables participation in transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) clinical trials while receiving treatment sessions from home. The protocol has been successfully piloted in both patients with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. Medicine A Protocol for the Use of Remotely-Supervised Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Margaret Kasschau1,2, Kathleen Sherman1,2, Lamia Haider2, Ariana Frontario1,2, Michael Shaw1,2, Abhishek Datta3, Marom Bikson4, Leigh Charvet1,2 1Multiple Sclerosis Comprehensive Care Center, Department of Neurology, NYU Langone Medical Center, 2Department of Neurology, Stony Brook Medicine, 3Soterix Medical, Inc, 4Department of Biomedical Engineering, The City College of New York The goal of this pilot study is to describe a protocol for the remotely-supervised delivery of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) so that the procedure maintains standards of in-clinic practice, including safety, reproducibility, and tolerability. The feasibility of this protocol was tested in participants with multiple sclerosis (MS). Biology Analysis of RNA Processing Reactions Using Cell Free Systems: 3' End Cleavage of Pre-mRNA Substrates in vitro Joseph Jablonski1, Mark Clementz1, Kevin Ryan2, Susana T. Valente1 1Department of Infectious Diseases, The Scripps Research Institute, 2Department of Chemistry, City College of New York RNA polymerase II synthesizes a precursor RNA that extends beyond the 3' end of the mature mRNA. The end of the mature RNA is generated cotranscriptionally, at a site dictated by RNA sequences, via the endonuclease activity of the cleavage complex. Here, we detail the method to study cleavage reactions in vitro. Bioengineering Microinjection Wound Assay and In vivo Localization of Epidermal Wound Response Reporters in Drosophila Embryos. Michelle T. Juarez1, Rachel A. Patterson2, Wilson Li2, William McGinnis2 1Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, The City College of New York, 2Cell & Developmental Biology, University of California, San Diego The embryonic epidermis of very late stage Drosophila embryos provides an in vivo system for rapid puncture wound response analysis and can be combined with genetic manipulations or chemical microinjection treatments to advance studies in wound healing for translation into mammalian models. Medicine Technique and Considerations in the Use of 4x1 Ring High-definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (HD-tDCS) Mauricio F. Villamar1,2, Magdalena Sarah Volz1,3, Marom Bikson4, Abhishek Datta1,4, Alexandre F. DaSilva*5, Felipe Fregni*1 1Laboratory of Neuromodulation, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 2School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, 3Charité University Medicine Berlin, 4The City College of The City University of New York, 5Headache & Orofacial Pain Effort (H.O.P.E.), Biologic & Materials Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan High-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS), with its 4x1-ring montage, is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that combines both the neuromodulatory effects of conventional tDCS with increased focality. This article provides a systematic demonstration of the use of 4x1 HD-tDCS, and the considerations needed for safe and effective stimulation. Immunology and Infection An Introduction to Parasitic Wasps of Drosophila and the Antiparasite Immune Response Chiyedza Small*1,2, Indira Paddibhatla*1,2, Roma Rajwani1, Shubha Govind1,2 1Biology Department, The City College of New York, CUNY, 2The Graduate Center, The City University of New York Parasitoid (parasitic) wasps constitute a major class of natural enemies of many insects including Drosophila melanogaster. We will introduce the techniques to propagate these parasites in Drosophila spp. and demonstrate how to analyze their effects on immune tissues of Drosophila larvae. Biology Isolation and Biophysical Study of Fruit Cuticles Subhasish Chatterjee1, Sayantani Sarkar1, Julia Oktawiec1, Zhantong Mao1, Olivia Niitsoo2, Ruth E. Stark1 1Department of Chemistry, City College of New York, City University of New York Graduate Center and Institute for Macromolecular Assemblies, 2Department of Chemical Engineering, City College of New York Aerial plant organs are protected by the cuticle, a supramolecular biopolyester-wax assembly. We present protocols to monitor selective removal of epi- and intracuticular waxes from tomato fruit cuticles on molecular and micro scales by solid-state NMR and atomic force microscopy, respectively, and to assess the cross-linking capacity of engineered cuticular biopolyesters. Neuroscience Electrode Positioning and Montage in Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Alexandre F. DaSilva1, Magdalena Sarah Volz2,3, Marom Bikson4, Felipe Fregni2 1Headache & Orofacial Pain Effort (H.O.P.E.), Biologic & Material Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, 2Laboratory of Neuromodulation, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 3Charité, University Medicine Berlin, 4Department of Biomedical Engineering, The City College of New York Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is an established technique to modulate cortical excitability1,2. It has been used as an investigative tool in neuroscience due to its effects on cortical plasticity, easy operation, and safe profile. One area that tDCS has been showing encouraging results is pain alleviation 3-5.