Combined implanted central venous access and cortical recording electrode array in freely behaving mice

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Surgical techniques
• Anesthesiology

Background:

• Establishing reliable chronic venous access in non-anesthetized mice is technically demanding.
• Accurate titration of intravenous anesthetics requires a stable and accessible venous route.
• Existing methods often necessitate animal restraint or additional anesthesia, complicating research outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To refine and combine existing methods for creating a long-lasting, functional venous access in freely behaving mice.
• To enable precise titration of intravenous anesthetics without interfering with anesthetic effects or causing undue stress.
• To facilitate combined studies of neurobiological recording and drug application in mice.

Main Methods:

• A novel surgical technique involving catheter tunneling from a cranial to a pectoral wound.
• Secure fixation of the catheter in the external jugular vein using sutures and tissue adhesive.
• Integration of venous access with intracranial recording electrode implantation.

Main Results:

• Successful establishment of reliable chronic venous access in freely behaving mice.
• The method allows for intravenous anesthetic titration without additional anesthesia or animal restraint.
• The venous access is compatible with intracranial recording electrodes and other neurobiological applications.

Conclusions:

• This refined technique provides a robust solution for chronic venous access in mice.
• It significantly reduces animal stress and avoids confounding factors in anesthetic studies.
• The approach is versatile and applicable to various neuroscientific research hypotheses, including consciousness studies.