Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39789854›Full record

ArticleCurrent protocols2025

Miniscope Imaging of Nucleus Accumbens Neural Activity in Freely Behaving Rats: Virus Injection, Gradient Index Lens Implantation, Recording Strategies, and Analytical Methods.

Nicholas J Beacher, Michael W Wang, Matthew C Broomer, Jessica Y Kuo, Kayden A Washington, Miranda Targum, Yan Zhang, Giovanni Barbera, Da-Ting Lin

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Current protocols, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Nicholas J BeacherIntramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, Maryland.
Michael W WangIntramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, Maryland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9595-4415
Matthew C BroomerIntramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, Maryland.
Jessica Y KuoUniversity of California Davis Health, School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Alzheimer's Disease Research Center-East Bay, Walnut Creek, California.
Kayden A WashingtonFeinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois.
Miranda TargumPenn Memory Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Yan ZhangNational Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, China.
Giovanni BarberaIntramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, Maryland.
Da-Ting LinIntramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, Maryland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0538-7892

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

In vivo calcium imaging in freely moving rats using miniscopes provides valuable information about the neural mechanisms of behavior in real time. A gradient index (GRIN) lens can be implanted in deep brain structures to relay activity from single neurons. While such procedures have been successful in mice, few reports provide detailed procedures for successful surgery and long-term imaging in rats, which are better suited for studying complex human behaviors. We present a robotic surgical protocol for same-day virus injection and GRIN lens implantation into the rat nucleus accumbens core. Our procedure utilizes a direct lens insertion without tissue aspiration and produces quality image retention for months of recording. We also describe daily recording strategies to minimize damage and promote long-term imaging. Finally, we present custom protective strategies to eliminate the need to remove miniscopes between sessions. This methodology protects rats from repeated isoflurane exposure and ensures a consistent focal plane for the entirety of the experiment. © 2025 The Author(s). Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Craniotomy Basic Protocol 2: Virus injection Basic Protocol 3: GRIN lens implantation Basic Protocol 4: Baseplate mounting and assessment of the anesthetized rat Basic Protocol 5: Assessment of the awake, behaving rat Support Protocol 1: Protective miniscope cone fabrication Support Protocol 2: Miniscope cable fabrication.

Indexed as

Nucleus AccumbensAnimalsBehavior, AnimalCalciumNeuronsRatsRoboticsCalciumcustomimagingminiscopenucleus accumbenssurgery

Identifiers

PMID39789854
PMCPMC11718238

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.