Assessment of Excitatory Neurotransmitter Levels in Chronic Epilepsy-Induced Rats

Source: Soukupová, M., et al. Microdialysis of Excitatory Amino Acids During EEG Recordings in Freely Moving Rats. J. Vis. Exp. (2018)This video demonstrates the assessment of extracellular excitatory neurotransmitter levels in rats with chronic epilepsy induction. After implanting a microdialysis probe into the brain and confirming the absence of seizures using electroencephalography (EEG), extracellular fluid is collected to evaluate elevated neurotransmitter levels in epileptic rats. A high-potassium solution is then infused to sustain neuronal excitability and trigger an increased release of neurotransmitters, with samples collected to assess the potassium-induced peak in excitatory neurotransmitters.