title: A simple and economical method of electrode fabrication for brain self-stimulation in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) is an operant paradigm in which rodents self-administer rewarding electrical stimulation through electrodes implanted into the brain. We describe a simple, inexpensive and reliable method to fabricate monopolar and bipolar electrodes, along with the swivel system, for delivery of electric pulses at the targeted sites in the brain of rat.
  
  
  METHODS
  The system consists of an insulated stainless steel wire(s) (diameter: 0.25 mm), plastic base, pedestal and connector attached to a swivel via a stimulating cable, which is connected to the stimulator. We provide the specifications, source of each component, and the method of fabrication in details.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In-house fabricated monopolar or bipolar electrodes were subjected to rigorous tests. We implanted the electrode into the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) and rat was trained to press the lever for electrical self-stimulation in operant chamber for 60 min each day. In about 3-4 days, the animal gave a consistent response (~40 presses/min) and was considered as conditioned. For evaluation of reinforcement behavior, the number of lever pressings of conditioned rat with or without electrical stimulation was assessed for a period of 30 min each day for 10 weeks. The rewarding frequency sustained for the entire duration. In addition, we compared the lever pressing data of the groups of rats implanted with in-house fabricated versus with those with commercial electrodes; no significant differences were encountered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The required components for the electrode fabrication are easily available. With some practice, the system can be easily assembled in the laboratory and costs less than a dollar. We suggest that the electrodes, fabricated using this method, may serve as an economical and reliable tool in neuropharmacological and neurobehavioral studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur 440 033, India.
authors.forename: Sagar J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur 440 033, India.
authors.forename: Ashish P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Bharne
authors.affiliation: Division of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology, Shrimati Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy, New Kamptee, Nagpur, 441 002, India.
authors.forename: Manoj A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Upadhya
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur 440 033, India.
authors.forename: Amita R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Somalwar
authors.affiliation: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, First Floor, Central Tower, Sai Trinity Building, Garware Circle, Sutarwadi, Pashan, Pune 411 021, India.
authors.forename: Nishikant K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Subhedar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur 440 033, India. Electronic address: kokaredada@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Dadasaheb M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Kokare
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted / Q000191:economics*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012201:Reward; D012653:Self Stimulation
keywords: Bipolar electrodes; Electrode fabrication; Intracranial self-stimulation; Monopolar electrodes; Operant conditioning; Rats