A non-surgical technique for accurate intracerebral injections in rat

An improved technique for intracerebral injection into rats is described. This technique uses a metallic skull template as an injection aid, aligned with the maxillary incisors, the eyes and the outer ear canals of anesthesized animals. With this device we have been able to target brain structures as small as 4 mm3 both rapidly, accurately and reproducibly. The new method provides a useful alternative to common stereotaxic techniques for rats up to 300 g.