Stereotaxic Microinjection of Viral Vectors Expressing Cre Recombinase to Study the Role of Target Genes in Cocaine Conditioned Place Preference |
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Authors: | Kathryn C Schierberl Anjali M Rajadhyaksha |
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Institution: | 1.Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences;2.Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medical College |
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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. |
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Keywords: | Behavior Issue 77 Neuroscience Neurobiology Anatomy Physiology Biomedical Engineering Medicine Molecular Biology Pharmacology Animals Genetically Modified Behavior Animal Drug-Seeking Behavior Psychophysiology Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms viral vectors stereotaxic surgery microinjection conditioned place preference mouse behavior neuroscience extinction cocaine-induced reinstatement animal model |
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