Rapid and precise method to locate microdialysis probe implantation in the rodent brain

An important concern about microdialysis methodology is the histological validation of the dialysis probe implantation site in brain tissue of rodents (rat, mouse). Several methods have been described on standard histological staining (i.e., cresyl violet, formalin fixation, fast green perfusion, etc.). However, this methodology is time consuming. These requirements are not compatible with a histological validation prior to analysis of microdialysis samples. Here, we developed a new method to locate the track of the dialysis probe in the rodent brain. This method is based on a digital photomicrograph of a coronal section of the rodent frozen brain. The fitting of an appropriate coronal diagram of the rats' and mice' brain atlas with this photomicrograph, allowed us to locate precisely and quickly the track of the dialysis probe.