Improved method of canine decerebration.
We describe an improved decerebration method for dogs that is suitable for studies of brain stem neurons in the absence of anesthesia. Previously reported techniques of canine decerebration often lead to respiratory and hemodynamic instability and lack of typical decerebrate rigidity. We have developed a precise, visually controlled, midcollicular brain stem transection technique that overcomes these problems. Our method results in only moderate blood loss while preserving carotid and basilar artery circulations. Consistent levels of brain stem transection routinely lead to stable postdecerebration hemodynamic parameters, allowing prolonged brain stem neuronal recordings. The same model should also be useful for a variety of studies involving other physiological systems in dogs in the absence of anesthesia and for studies of anesthetic effects.
Tonkovic-Capin
M
M
Zablocki Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and Department of Anesthesiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53295, USA.
Krolo
M
M
Stuth
E A
EA
Hopp
F A
FA
Zuperku
E J
EJ
D000758:Anesthesia; D000818:Animals; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D003655:Decerebrate State / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004285:Dogs; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics
D002245:Carbon Dioxide