Protocol for modulation of the serotonergic DR-PBC neural circuit to prevent SUDEP in the acoustic and PTZ-induced DBA/1 mouse models of SUDEP

The dorsal raphe nucleus (DR) and the pre-Bötzinger complex (PBC) may play an important role in regulating seizure-induced respiratory arrest (S-IRA), the main contributor to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Here, we describe pharmacological, optogenetic, and retrograde labeling approaches to specifically modulate the DR to PBC serotonergic pathway. We detail steps for implanting optical fibers and viral infusion into DR and PBC regions and optogenetic techniques for exploring the role of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HT) neural circuit of DR-PBC in S-IRA. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Ma et al. (2022).1 [Display omitted] •A protocol for implantation of optical fibers and viral infusion into the DR and PBC•Optogenetic techniques explore the role of 5-HT neural circuit of DR-PBC in S-IRA•Optimized coordinates and volume for viral infusion into male DBA/1 mice Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics. The dorsal raphe nucleus (DR) and the pre-Bötzinger complex (PBC) may play an important role in regulating seizure-induced respiratory arrest (S-IRA), the main contributor to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Here, we describe pharmacological, optogenetic, and retrograde labeling approaches to specifically modulate the DR to PBC serotonergic pathway. We detail steps for implanting optical fibers and viral infusion into DR and PBC regions and optogenetic techniques for exploring the role of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HT) neural circuit of DR-PBC in S-IRA.