DREADDs in rats

I occasionally get questions regarding approaches for using DREADDs in rats.  There are now a number of papers wherein cell-type specific expression of DREADDs in neurons was achieved using several platforms:

• HSV-transduction using either Enkephalin or Prodynorphin promotors for cell-type specific expression in striatal neurons:
• Transient neuronal inhibition reveals opposing roles of indirect and direct pathways in sensitizationFerguson SM, Eskenazi D, Ishikawa M, Wanat MJ, Phillips PE, Dong Y, Roth BL, Neumaier JF.Nat Neurosci. 2011 Jan;14(1):22-4. doi: 10.1038/nn.2703. Epub 2010 Dec 5.
• AAV-DIO-DREADD using TH-Cre mice
• Norepinephrine-neuron-selective expression  using AAV-based delivery and the synthetic promoter PRSx8