This article describes a method for monitoring the electrical activity of neurons in rodent pups using a wireless electroencephalogram (EEG) transmitter. The setup allows for continuous recording of EEG signals as the pups develop into adulthood.
Take a rodent pup with a wireless electroencephalogram or EEG transmitter implanted in its skull.
The transmitter contains electrodes that extend to the brain's surface. Two recording electrodes monitor the electrical activity of neurons, and one reference electrode helps reduce signal noise.
Place a transmitter-implanted pup in a cage inside a recording chamber. The chamber contains a wireless receiver base connected to a data acquisition system that receives signals wirelessly.
Place non-implanted pups in the cage to reduce stress from isolation for the transmitter-implanted pup and start acquiring signals.
Neurotransmitters released at the synapses bind to receptors on postsynaptic neurons, inducing an ion influx that changes the membrane potential, termed postsynaptic potential.
The electrodes record postsynaptic potentials from a large number of neurons extracellularly. The summed synaptic activity of neighboring neurons is recorded as EEG signals.
The miniature transmitter allows continuous monitoring of EEG signals throughout the pup's development into adulthood.
Transfer a single implanted animal to a recording chamber. Only one implanted animal can be monitored at a time, but other non-implanted animals can be with it.
To set up the recorder, connect the power supply to the receiver base. Next, connect the base to a data acquisition system via BNCs. Now, place the cage on the signal receiver base. The signal light should illuminate. Data can now be recorded.
First, connect the receiver base to an A/D converter, and connect the converter to a computer. Using the software settings, set the sample rate of the recording to 500 per second. The transmitter sends EEG signals between 0.1 to 100 Hertz with an 8 decibels per octave roll-off at either end.
Setting an appropriate sample rate that is above Nyquist is critical. We recommend 500 samples per second.
While the animals are being recorded from, watch for signs of stress and dehydration. Pups should not be in the chamber for more than two hours.
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