[A simplified technique for decerebrating rats]

A simple and effective technique is described for decerebration of rat. The brain tissue at the precollicular level was gently and slowly aspirated. The two cut surfaces of the brainstem were covered with small pieces of gelfoam sponge or cotton balls soaked in thrombin solution. No ligation or clamp of the common carotid arteries of their branches was performed. After decerebration with this technique, the respiration rate, the heart rate and the mean femoral arterial pressure of the animals were stable for more than 10 hours. Successful intracellular recordings and labelings of medullary respiratory neurons were obtained from this type of preparation of rat. The technique for decerebrating rats described here may be used for acute experiments in which brainstem regulatory functions are investigated.