Microdialysis Coupled with Electrochemical Detection - Drugs of Abuse: Neurological Reviews and Protocols - page 406

Fig. 1. The typical products of oxidization of DA, NE, and 5-HT.
once a researcher stays in the laboratory a full day to test two or three rats,
it is worth working with fi ve or six rats. In any case once the equipment has
been acquired, the potential productivity is high, while expenses for keeping
a working microdialysis laboratory are very limited. Indeed apart from money
for animals, chemicals, and eventually for a HPLC column, or a new electrode,
no other expenses have to be anticipated. It has also to be considered that
if well kept, the equipment acquired can last up to 10 yr with little or no
maintenance at all ( see Note 1 ).
1.4.2. Time
Although productivity in microdialysis can be high, it is also very time
consuming. Some simple considerations can reduce wasted time to a minimum.
First, preparation of each fi ber requires 30-45 min, considering preparation and
assembling of parts ( see fi ber preparation section). Often even a skilled person
will not reach more that 80% of success in assembling perfectly working fi bers.
Because ready to use fi bers are sold by several companies, a researcher new
in the fi eld can start with those, and later can learn how to assemble fi bers.
Although a detailed description is provided, in this article and others, it is
suggested that one obtain a sample of each part and an assembled probe
to support self-instruction. Visiting the lab of course would be best. Self-
assembled probes may be more adaptable to specifi c requirements and may be
more effi cient in terms of amount of substance recovered.