Fig. 1

Validation of neuronal activity modulation using DREADDs. a Schematic view of an activating DREADD (hM3Dq) receptor. b rAAV-mediated overexpression of the hM3Dq receptor in dopaminergic nigral neurons assessed by IHC staining. Tyrosine Hydroxylase (TH), and mCherry were used to localize the expression of the transgene in the DN (scale bars = 500 μm (top panel) and 100 μm (bottom panel). c Latency to fall from the accelerating rotarod in basal condition and after administration of CNO (1 mg/kg) or saline in rAAV2/8 hM3Dq or rAAV2/8 mCherry vector-injected animals (Mean ± SD, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 by two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni posthoc test, n = 4). d Representative image of hM3Dq injected animal treated with CNO and quantification of the cFOS+ nuclei in the different experimental groups (scale bar = 250 μm) (Mean ± SD, ****p < 0.0001 by one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni posthoc test, n = 4). e Firing frequency of putative DN from animals overexpressing the hM3Dq receptor or mCherry in basal condition and after CNO administration. (n = 8 to 11 DNs from at least 5 different animals, two-way ANOVA Bonferroni posthoc test ***p < 0.0005). f Representative traces from 6 putative DN (overexpressing mCherry or the hM3Dq-mCherry receptor, in basal condition and post-CNO administration)