Improved technique for stereotactic placement of nerve grafts between two locations inside the rat brain

J Neurosci Methods. 2008 Sep 30;174(2):194-201. doi: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2008.07.008. Epub 2008 Jul 23.

Abstract

Peripheral nerve grafts have shown the ability to facilitate central axonal growth and regenerate the adult central nervous system. However, the detailed description of a technique for atraumatic graft placement within the brain is lacking. We present a stereotactic procedure to implant a peripheral nerve graft within a rat's brain with minimal brain tissue damage. The procedure permits a correct graft placement joining two chosen points, and the survival and integration of the graft in the host tissue with a light glial reaction, with evidence of central axonal growth inside the graft, at least up to 8 weeks after its implantation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain / surgery*
  • Brain / ultrastructure
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Nerve Regeneration / physiology*
  • Rats
  • Sciatic Nerve / transplantation*
  • Stereotaxic Techniques*