Brain microdialysis in freely moving animals

Methods Mol Biol. 2012:846:365-81. doi: 10.1007/978-1-61779-536-7_31.

Abstract

Brain microdialysis is an analytical technique used for the dynamic monitoring of brain neurochemistry in awake, freely moving animals. This technique requires the insertion of a small dialysis catheter, called a microdialysis probe, into a specific brain region, and its perfusion with an artificial extracellular fluid. The microdialysate samples, obtained from the probe outlet, can be analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection for the quantification of oxidizable molecules recovered from the extracellular space. In this chapter, we describe a protocol for performing a microdialysis setup and experiment in freely moving rats and mice. Furthermore, the high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of ascorbic acid, uric acid, catecholamines, indolamines and derivatives is described in detail.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ascorbic Acid / analysis
  • Brain Chemistry*
  • Catecholamines / analysis
  • Chemistry Techniques, Analytical*
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / methods
  • Electrochemistry
  • Extracellular Fluid / chemistry*
  • Indoles / analysis
  • Mice
  • Microdialysis / methods*
  • Rats
  • Uric Acid / analysis

Substances

  • Catecholamines
  • Indoles
  • Uric Acid
  • indolamine
  • Ascorbic Acid