Abstract
Stereotaxic surgery to implant guide cannulas into the rodent brain is a frequently used technique to deliver drugs to targeted brain regions in awake, freely moving animals. There are limited reports, however, of central injections in young animals, and no information on cannula implantation for drug administration into the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) in young rats. Our protocol describes a simple and successful method for implanting guide cannulas in the brains of young, male Sprague-Dawley rats and outlines newly developed stereotaxic coordinates to accurately target the dorsomedial hypothalamus.•Stereotaxic surgical procedure for guide cannula implantation in the DMH in young rats.•Development of stereotaxic coordinates of the DMH in young rats.•Microinjection of drugs into the young rat brain.
Highlights
Stereotaxic surgery to implant guide cannulas into the rodent brain is a frequently used technique to deliver drugs to targeted brain regions in awake, freely moving animals
The effects of drugs in specific brain regions can be assessed in awake rodents by surgically implanting guide cannulas that can be later used to microinject drugs into the brain
This technique has been used extensively in adult rodents, there are fewer reports in young animals that are more susceptible to surgery-induced mortality and for which detailed stereotaxic coordinates are lacking
Summary
The effects of drugs in specific brain regions can be assessed in awake rodents by surgically implanting guide cannulas that can be later used to microinject drugs into the brain. This technique has been used extensively in adult rodents, there are fewer reports in young animals that are more susceptible to surgery-induced mortality and for which detailed stereotaxic coordinates are lacking. 35 mm serrefines (Â4) Forceps Needle drivers Scalpel Scissors Screwdriver for 1 mm screws - Syringes - Thermometer (rectal) - Ultra fine point permanent marker - Underpads - Xylocaine (2%)
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