title: Subretinal electrode implantation in the P23H rat for chronic stimulations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In age related macular degeneration and inherited dystrophies, preservation of retinal ganglion cells has been demonstrated. This finding has led to the development of various models of subretinal or epiretinal implant in order to restore vision. This study addresses the development of a polyimide subretinal electrode platform in the dystrophic P23H rat in vivo.
  
  
  METHODS
  A technique was developed for implanting a subretinal electrode into the subretinal space and stabilising the distal extremity of the cabling on the rat cranium in order to allow future electrical stimulations of the retina.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In vivo imaging of the retina with the scanning laser ophthalmoscope demonstrated reabsorption of the surgically induced retinal detachment and the absence of major tissue reactions. These in vivo observations were confirmed by retinal histology. The extraocular fixation system on the rat cranium was effective in stabilising the distal connector for in vivo stimulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that a retinal implant can be introduced into the subretinal space of a dystrophic rat with a stable external connection for repeatable electrical measurements and stimulation. This in vivo model should therefore allow us to evaluate the safety and efficacy of electrical stimulations on dystrophic retina.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Opthalmologie Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève, Switzerland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salzmann
authors.forename: O P
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: Linderholm
authors.forename: J-L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Guyomard
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paques
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simonutti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lecchi
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sommerhalder
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dubus
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pelizzone
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bertrand
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sahel
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Renaud
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Safran
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Picaud
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*