Title | Stereotaxic microinjection of viral vectors expressing Cre recombinase to study the role of target genes in cocaine conditioned place preference. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2013 |
Authors | Schierberl KC, Rajadhyaksha AM |
Journal | J Vis Exp |
Issue | 77 |
Date Published | 2013 Jul 30 |
ISSN | 1940-087X |
Keywords | Adenoviridae, Animals, Cocaine, Conditioning, Operant, Drug-Seeking Behavior, Integrases, Mice, Microinjections, Stereotaxic Techniques |
Abstract | Microinjecting recombinant adenoassociated viral (rAAV) vectors expressing Cre recombinase into distinct mouse brain regions to selectively knockout genes of interest allows for enhanced temporally- and regionally-specific control of gene deletion, compared to existing methods. While conditional deletion can also be achieved by mating mice that express Cre recombinase under the control of specific gene promoters with mice carrying a floxed gene, stereotaxic microinjection allows for targeting of discrete brain areas at experimenter-determined time points of interest. In the context of cocaine conditioned place preference, and other cocaine behavioral paradigms such as self-administration or psychomotor sensitization that can involve withdrawal, extinction and/or reinstatement phases, this technique is particularly useful in exploring the unique contribution of target genes to these distinct phases of behavioral models of cocaine-induced plasticity. Specifically, this technique allows for selective ablation of target genes during discrete phases of a behavior to test their contribution to the behavior across time. Ultimately, this understanding allows for more targeted therapeutics that are best able to address the most potent risk factors that present themselves during each phase of addictive behavior. |
DOI | 10.3791/50600 |
Alternate Journal | J Vis Exp |
PubMed ID | 23929203 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC3846586 |
Grant List | R01 DA029122 / DA / NIDA NIH HHS / United States R21 DA023686 / DA / NIDA NIH HHS / United States T32 DA007274 / DA / NIDA NIH HHS / United States |