Protocol to establish a demyelinated animal model to study hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive function in adult rodents

Cognitive dysfunction is a prevalent feature in multiple sclerosis, a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease, which may be correlated with the impairment of adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Here, we present a detailed protocol for the induction of cuprizone demyelinated mice to assess the cognitive function and explore the precise mechanisms underlying cognitive deficits in demyelinated hippocampus. We describe steps for behavioral tests, 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) administration, retrovirus packaging and stereotactic injection, hippocampal tissue preparation, and immunofluorescence staining. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Song et al.1