A high performance isolated rat brain preparation. Part I: Operative technique and recipient extracorporeal perfusion

The microsurgical preparation and high level performance with extracorporeal recipient perfusion of a stable, totally isolated rat brain model is presented. Emphasis has been placed on the use of the operating microscope, bipolar cautery and mechanical fixation units to affect a complete ablation of all non-osseous cephalic and vertebral tissues with minimal physiological disturbance of the animal as a whole. The simplified technique of recipient support circulation of the isolated brain organ achieves at least 5 h of tissue viability and function as measured by electrocortical activity, A-Vo2 differences and morphological appearance. To date, no other isolated rodent brain model has been described which is truly anatomically separated from all cephalic tissues. Additionally, other surgical attempts at isolation have required the use of abnormal physiological states, including deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest.