Widespread Neuronal Transduction of the Rodent CNS via Neonatal Viral Injection

Methods Mol Biol. 2016:1382:239-50. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3271-9_17.

Abstract

The rapid pace of neuroscience research demands equally efficient and flexible methods for genetically manipulating and visualizing selected neurons within the rodent brain. The use of viral vectors for gene delivery saves the time and cost of traditional germline transgenesis and offers the versatility of readily available reagents that can be easily customized to meet individual experimental needs. Here, we present a protocol for widespread neuronal transduction based on intraventricular viral injection of the neonatal mouse brain. Injections can be done either free-hand or assisted by a stereotaxic device to produce lifelong expression of virally delivered transgenes.

Keywords: Adeno-associated virus; Intracerebroventricular injection; Neonatal brain; Transgenic mouse; Viral transduction.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn / virology
  • Dependovirus / genetics
  • Dependovirus / physiology*
  • Genetic Vectors / administration & dosage
  • Injections, Intraventricular
  • Mice
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Transduction, Genetic*