I would like to administer a drug centrally into a specific brain region and then look at activation of neurons in this same region as a result via IHC staining for cFOS. However, because there may be some tissue damage due to the cannula implantation, I am wondering if staining will be an option. Anyone have any ideas?
You would have to have a control experiment which shows the c-Fos activation as a result of the surgery, since c-Fos is an indicator of neural activity. There may be mechanical activation. Also any IHC should be performed after at least 2 hours of drug stimulation. This will reduce any artifacts that may be present from the surgery.
If you implant your cannula and then wait a week before you do the experiment, you can deliver your injection with minimal tissue damage. The damage and possible c-Fos activation from the surgery will certainly not last that long, and the brain will heal from the cannula damage, making IHC easier. The cannula should be aimed ~1 mm above your target site. Then use micro-injection to deliver your compound of interest. The microinjection needles that fit through cannulas can cover the last 1 mm and are very small. You definitely want to have control animals that you inject with vehicle (whatever solution your drug is made up in).
Take a look at Peciña, S. and K. C. Berridge (2005) who did exactly that and have a nice description of the effect and how to interpret the result
Peciña, S. and K. C. Berridge (2005). J Neurosci 25(50): 11777-11786
Sly, D J, M J McKinley, and B J Oldfield. 2001. “Activation of Kidney-Directed Neurons in the Lamina Terminalis by Alterations in Body Fluid Balance..” American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology 281 (5): R1637–46.
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