A simple cuff electrode for nerve recording and stimulation in acute experiments on small animals

Abstract

We describe a cuff-type electrode specifically designed for recording from, and electrical stimulation of, cut nerves in acute experiments on small animals. Unlike existing designs of cuff electrodes, it is simple to manufacture, inexpensive and takes little time to implant. The electrode was tested on the hypoglossal, phrenic, recurrent laryngeal, and superior laryngeal nerves in anesthetized rats. It provides satisfactory signal-to-noise ratios (3.0±0.8 (mean±S.D.)) for hypoglossal and 5.4±2.1 for phrenic nerve activity and stable recording over the time course of a typical acute experiment. It eliminates or minimizes the problems with recording stability and space availability associated with conventional hook-type electrodes, and reduces experiment preparation time. This should facilitate neurophysiological experiments on small rodents involving complex protocols that include recording from, and/or stimulation of, multiple nerves.