A new device for experimental modeling of central nervous system injuries

This article introduces a new device for inducing central nerve system injuries in experimental studies with animal models. The construction of the device is based on a commercially available servo-drive system incorporating the latest instrumentation technology and software developed in house to control the motion profile of the injury bit. The software, which is available upon request from the author, was designed such that the user can set the mechanical properties of the motion. For the purpose of quality control, tests were described and performed to assess the ability of the device to reproduce the prescribed motion when operated repetitively under the same set of parameters. Experiments were then conducted on animals to injure mouse brain and rat spinal cord. Following the injuries, in vivo magnetic resonance imaging was performed on the animals to depict the pathologies of the resulting injuries in the corresponding neuronal tissues. Rat spinal cords injured mildly and severely were followed longitudinally for up to 28 days postinjury. The neurobehaviors of the animals evaluated using locomotor rating scores indicated the ability of the device to produce repeatable graded injuries.