VGF Infusion Study
Objective: To test antidepressant-like effects of VGF neuropeptide infusion into the hippocampus using the forced swim test and to examine effects on hippocampal neurogenesis
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Equipment1
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Materials3
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Protocol Steps
Infuse VGF into hippocampus
Administer VGF neuropeptide infusion directly into the hippocampus of mice
Note: Infusion timing and volume not specified in provided text
View evidence from paper
“VGF infusion in the hippocampus of mice subjected to FST reduced the time spent immobile”
Conduct forced swim test
Subject mice to forced swim test paradigm to measure antidepressant-like behavioral effects
Note: Test conducted after VGF infusion; immobility time measured as primary outcome
View evidence from paper
“VGF infusion in the hippocampus of mice subjected to FST reduced the time spent immobile for up to 6 d”
Measure immobility duration
Quantify time spent immobile during forced swim test as indicator of antidepressant-like effects
Note: VGF infusion reduced immobility time compared to control
View evidence from paper
“VGF infusion in the hippocampus of mice subjected to FST reduced the time spent immobile for up to 6 d”
Assess hippocampal cell proliferation in vitro
Measure proliferation of hippocampal progenitor cells in culture using DNA synthesis markers
Note: Chronic VGF treatment applied; [3H]thymidine and bromodeoxyuridine used as markers
View evidence from paper
“chronic VGF treatment enhances proliferation of hippocampal progenitor cells both in vitro and in vivo”
Assess hippocampal cell proliferation in vivo
Measure proliferation of hippocampal progenitor cells in living animals using DNA synthesis markers
Note: Chronic VGF treatment applied; cells tracked for survival up to 21 days
View evidence from paper
“chronic VGF treatment enhances proliferation of hippocampal progenitor cells both in vitro and in vivo with survival up to 21 d”
Perform double immunocytochemical analysis
Conduct double immunocytochemistry on hippocampal neurons to identify dividing cells expressing neuronal markers
Note: Analysis performed on in vitro hippocampal neurons treated with VGF
View evidence from paper
“By double immunocytochemical analysis of hippocampal neurons, we demonstrate that VGF increases the number of dividing cells that express neuronal markers in vitro”