Link to the University of Pittsburgh Homepage
Link to the University Library System Homepage Link to the Contact Us Form

In-vivo Calcium Imaging of Sensory Neurons in the Rat Trigeminal Ganglion

Gedeon, Jeremy (2024) In-vivo Calcium Imaging of Sensory Neurons in the Rat Trigeminal Ganglion. Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

[img]
Preview
PDF
Download (758kB) | Preview

Abstract

Genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) enable the use of imaging techniques to monitor changes in calcium in targeted cell populations. Their large signal-to-noise ratio makes GECIs a powerful tool to detect stimulus-evoked activity in sensory neurons. GECIs facilitate population level analysis of stimulus encoding with the number of neurons that can be studied simultaneously. This population encoding is most appropriately done in vivo. Dorsal root ganglia (DRG), that house the soma of sensory neurons innervating somatic and visceral structures below the neck, are used most extensively for in vivo imaging because these structures are accessed relatively easily. More recently, this technique was used in mice to study sensory neurons in the trigeminal ganglion (TG), that innervate oral and craniofacial structures. There are many reasons to study TG rather than DRG, including the long list of pain syndromes specific to oral and craniofacial structures that appear to reflect changes in sensory neuron activity, such as trigeminal neuralgia. Mice are used most extensively in the study of DRG and TG neurons because of the availability of genetic tools. However, differences in size, ease of handling, and potentially important species differences, there are reasons to study rat rather than mouse TG neurons. Thus, I developed an approach for imaging rat TG neurons in vivo. I injected neonatal pups (p2) intraperitoneally with an AAV encoding GCaMP6s resulting in >90% infection of both TG and DRG neurons. TG were visualized in the adult following craniotomy and decortication, and changes in GCaMP6s fluorescence monitored in TG neurons following stimulation of mandibular and maxillary regions of the face. I confirmed that increases in fluorescence were stimulus evoked with peripheral nerve block. While there are many potential uses for this approach, I are using it to characterize the subpopulation(s) of TG neurons changed following peripheral nerve injury.


Share

Citation/Export:
Social Networking:
Share |

Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Gedeon, Jeremygedeon.jer8@gmail.comjyg20000-0003-3172-5787
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairDavis, Brianbmd1@pitt.edubmd1
Thesis AdvisorGold, Michaelmsg22@pitt.edumsg22
Committee MemberAlbers, Kathrynkaa2@pitt.edukaa2
Committee MemberDonnelly, ChristopherCjdon25@pitt.educjdon25
Committee MemberSeal, Rebeccarpseal@pitt.edurpseal
Date: 14 October 2024
Date Type: Publication
Defense Date: 31 July 2024
Approval Date: 14 October 2024
Submission Date: 30 July 2024
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Number of Pages: 59
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: School of Medicine > Neurobiology
Degree: MS - Master of Science
Thesis Type: Master's Thesis
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: surgery, pain, nervous, system, technique, local, translation, cytokine, inflammatory mediator, injury-induced plasticity, neurotrophin, nociceptor sensitization
Date Deposited: 14 Oct 2024 15:47
Last Modified: 14 Oct 2024 15:47
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/46782

Metrics

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics


Actions (login required)

View Item View Item