Protocol for modulating the noradrenergic pathway from locus coeruleus to heart to prevent sudden unexpected death in epilepsy in mouse models

Qing Xu; YuLing Wang; XiTing Lian; Lu Liu; WeiHui Shao; JiaXuan Gu; LeYuan Gu; Qian Yu; YuanLi Zhang; ZhuoYue Zhang; HaiXiang Ma; Yue Shen; HongHai Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102403

Protocol for modulating the noradrenergic pathway from locus coeruleus to heart to prevent sudden unexpected death in epilepsy in mouse models

STAR Protoc. 2023 Sep 15;4(3):102403. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102403. Epub 2023 Jun 30.

Authors

Qing Xu¹, YuLing Wang², XiTing Lian¹, Lu Liu¹, WeiHui Shao², JiaXuan Gu², LeYuan Gu², Qian Yu², YuanLi Zhang², ZhuoYue Zhang¹, HaiXiang Ma², Yue Shen¹, HongHai Zhang³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.
² Department of Anesthesiology, the Fourth Clinical School of Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310006, China.
³ Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China; Department of Anesthesiology, the Fourth Clinical School of Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310006, China; Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou 310006, China. Electronic address: [email protected].

Abstract

The locus coeruleus (LC) and noradrenergic neurotransmission are involved in the regulation of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Here, we present a protocol for modulating the noradrenergic pathway from LC to heart to prevent SUDEP in acoustic and pentylenetetrazole-induced DBA/1 mouse models of SUDEP. We describe steps for constructing SUDEP models, calcium signal recording, and electrocardiogram monitoring. We then detail measurement of tyrosine hydroxylase content and activity, β1 and p-β1-AR content, and destruction of LC^NE neurons. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Lian et al.¹.

Keywords: Behavior; Cognitive Neuroscience; Neuroscience.

MeSH terms

Animals
Heart
Locus Coeruleus*
Mice
Mice, Inbred DBA
Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy* / prevention & control
Synaptic Transmission