Preparation and care of the area postrema-lesioned cat

The area postrema (AP) is being widely studied to delineate its role in such varied functions as blood pressure regulation, conditioned taste aversion, water and energy balance, and radiation-induced emesis. This paper describes the preoperative preparation, surgical procedure, and postoperative care of cats kept long-term in which the AP was lesioned by electrocautery. A dorsal midline approach under gas anesthesia allowed access to selectively lesion the AP. Cats fully regained consciousness the same day and many became homeostatic within 24-48 h. Results of experiments using this model demonstrate the usefulness and effectiveness of the technique for model preparation.