Protocol for recording neuronal activity in food and cocaine self-administration in freely behaving mice using calcium imaging

Summary: In vivo calcium imaging has revealed complex neural activity during operant conditioning. Here, we present a protocol for large-scale, long-term recording of neural activity in freely behaving mice using viral injection, gradient lens implantation, and miniscope imaging during food and coca...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jiale Wang, Bin Wang, Michael W. Wang, Nicholas J. Beacher, Da-Ting Lin, Yan Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:STAR Protocols
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666166725003788
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Summary:Summary: In vivo calcium imaging has revealed complex neural activity during operant conditioning. Here, we present a protocol for large-scale, long-term recording of neural activity in freely behaving mice using viral injection, gradient lens implantation, and miniscope imaging during food and cocaine administration. We describe daily administration guidelines for comparing food- and cocaine-seeking behaviors. We further detail the procedures for the simultaneous self-administration of food and cocaine while integrating neural imaging recordings.For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Glanzberg et al.1 : Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.
ISSN:2666-1667