{"Equipment":"

\n\tUgo Basile Electro Convulsive Therapy unit

\n

\n\t0.5% Tetracaine Hydrochloride

\n","Procedure":"

\n\tAnimal housing and handling:

\n
    \n\t
  1. \n\t\tTransport all scheduled mice from mouse room FGB4435 on rolling cart to ECT room 4435C.
    2. \n\t
  2. \n\t\tUsing the following settings: pulse frequency 299 Hz, width 1.6 ms and duration 0.2 s. And adjust the current for that day/mouse test (0.5-20mA).
    3. \n\t
  3. \n\t\tThe mouse to be tested is identified by test code and mouse ID/ear tag and is restrained gently in one hand.
    4. \n\t
  4. \n\t\tOne drop of Tetracaine solution is applied to each eye.
    5. \n\t
  5. \n\t\tPlace electrode in contact with the solution.
    6. \n\t
  6. \n\t\tPress foot pedal to administer electric shock.\n\t\t
      \n\t\t\t
    1. \n\t\t\t\tTesters should take care that mice are properly restrained and full contact between the mouse’s eye and the ECT prongs is maintained in order to prevent electric arcing. The equipment is designed to inform the tester of unintentional arcing with a loud warning.
      2. \n\t\t
    \n\t
    7. \n\t
  7. \n\t\tRelease mouse onto desk and observe for ~1min and score actions based on scoring below.\n\t\t
      \n\t\t\t
    1. \n\t\t\t\t0 = walks away
      2. \n\t\t\t
    2. \n\t\t\t\t1 = brief stun only, then walks away
      3. \n\t\t\t
    3. \n\t\t\t\t2 = very brief jaw, forelimb clonus, lasting < 1sec
      4. \n\t\t\t
    4. \n\t\t\t\t3 = prolonged jaw, forelimb clonus, ventral or dorsal neck flexion, loss of posture lasting several seconds
      5. \n\t\t\t
    5. \n\t\t\t\t4 = tonic extension of forelimbs (90 degree to torso)
      6. \n\t\t\t
    6. \n\t\t\t\t5 = tonic extension of hindlimbs (90 degree to torso)
      7. \n\t\t
    \n\t
    8. \n\t
  8. \n\t\tScore is then recorded into LIMS system.
    9. \n\t
  9. \n\t\tBefore placing mice in clean wean box or home cage ensure that animal is moving and breathing normally.\n\t\t
      \n\t\t\t
    1. \n\t\t\t\tIf breathing stops an attempt can be made to revive it by applying gentle pressure to the chest and gently blowing on the mouse’s face.
      2. \n\t\t
    \n\t
    10. \n\t
  10. \n\t\tWipe table top and electrodes with 70% ethanol.
    11. \n\t
  11. \n\t\tReturn all mice to mouse room FGB4435.
    12. \n\t
  12. \n\t\tRepeat testing next day as needed (determined by protocol).
    13. \n
\n","Purpose":"

\n\tElectroconvulsive threshold testing is used to understand mechanisms that underlie susceptibility to epilepsy.  An electrical current is used to induce minimal clonic (forebrain), maximal tonic (hindbrain/brainstem) and psychomotor (limbic) seizures.

\n","Experimental Design":"
\n\t\n
\n

\n\t 

\n"}