Maintenance of complex neural function during perfusion of the mammalian brain.
A perfused brain preparation was developed utilizing non-pulsatile flow of artificial blood. Cortical electrical activity and respiratory motor output were maintained for as long as 7-8 h. This preparation permits stable intracellular recordings from CNS neurons displaying ongoing respiratory activity, and should permit analysis of synaptic and intrinsic cellular mechanisms involved in producing the respiratory output. A similar approach may be useful for electrophysiology throughout the CNS, and for other fields in which control of the blood composition and/or mechanical stability are required.
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D010477:Perfusion; D010791:Phrenic Nerve / Q000502:physiology; D012125:Respiratory Center / Q000502:physiology