Source Paper
Regulation of BDNF and trkB mRNA in rat brain by chronic electroconvulsive seizure and antidepressant drug treatments
M Nibuya, S Morinobu, RS Duman
Journal of Neuroscience • 1995
Antidepressant Drug Administration
Objective: Examine the influence of chronic antidepressant drug treatments (tranylcypromine, sertraline, desipramine, mianserin) on BDNF and trkB mRNA expression in rat brain
Gather these items before starting the experiment. Check off items as you prepare.
Equipment2
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Product links help support this free resource.
Protocol Steps
Acute antidepressant drug administration
Administer antidepressant drugs (tranylcypromine, sertraline, desipramine, or mianserin) acutely for 1 day
Note: Acute administration did not increase BDNF mRNA levels
View evidence from paper
“Chronic (21 d), but not acute (1 d), administration of several different antidepressant drugs”
Chronic antidepressant drug administration
Administer antidepressant drugs (tranylcypromine, sertraline, desipramine, or mianserin) chronically for 21 days
Note: Chronic administration significantly increased BDNF mRNA in hippocampus
View evidence from paper
“Chronic (21 d), but not acute (1 d), administration of several different antidepressant drugs, including tranylcypromine, sertraline, desipramine, or mianserin, significantly increased BDNF mRNA”
Brain tissue collection
Collect brain tissue from treated rats for analysis of BDNF and trkB mRNA expression
Note: Tissue collected from frontal cortex, hippocampus (dentate gyrus, CA3, CA1), and piriform cortex
View evidence from paper
“In frontal cortex, acute ECS increased BDNF mRNA approximately twofold”
In situ hybridization analysis
Perform in situ hybridization to detect and localize BDNF and trkB mRNA expression in brain tissue sections
Note: Allows regional analysis of mRNA expression in specific brain areas
View evidence from paper
“expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, trkB, was examined by in situ hybridization and Northern blot”
Northern blot analysis
Perform Northern blot to quantify BDNF and trkB mRNA expression levels
Note: Provides quantitative measurement of mRNA levels
View evidence from paper
“expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, trkB, was examined by in situ hybridization and Northern blot”