A new and simple transection knife for study of neurodegeneration and neuroregeneration in animal model

Jung Yul Park, Sang-Dae Kim, J. Park, Dong Jun Lim, H. K. Lee, H. S. Chung

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

    Abstract

    The purpose of this study was to design and make a simple, inexpensive brain knife that could produce consistent results following transection in animal model. After testing various materials including commercially available products, microelectrode recording needles as used in deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery were selected as ideal candidates. They were modified to serve as type of wire-knife for the purposes of study. For this study, the major pathway for dopaminergic neuron from substantia nigra to striatum was selected for transection. A total of 40 Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to 8 groups; normal, 1-4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks post-transection. Degree of cell death was determined and surviving neurons were counted by means of fluorescent microscopic examination, immunohistochemistry involving tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)- immunoreactive staining, and mapping to verify complete transection. Compared to control, percentage of remaining neurons in each group was 61.3, 36.8, 29.9, 5.1, 5.9, 7.0%, respectively. Completeness of lesion was correlated with the absence of TH-immunoreactivity in the striatum. Our model seems to provide complete cell death in early period after transection with consistent results. Thus, this type of brain knife can be very handy, without any extra cost, in any research model involving transection of fiber bundle for studies on neurodegeneration and neuroregeneration.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationAdvances in Functional and Reparative Neurosurgery
    PublisherSpringer-Verlag Wien
    Pages145-150
    Number of pages6
    Edition99
    ISBN (Print)9783211352045
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2006 Jan 1

    Publication series

    NameActa Neurochirurgica, Supplementum
    Number99
    ISSN (Print)0065-1419

    Keywords

    • cell death
    • degeneration
    • electrode
    • Knife
    • substantia nigra
    • transection

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Surgery
    • Clinical Neurology

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