Abstract
The method to induce unilateral cryogenic lesions was first described in 1958 by Klatzo. We describe here an adaptation of this model that allows reliable measurement of lesion volume and vasogenic edema by 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride-staining and Evans blue extravasation in mice. A copper or aluminium cylinder with a tip diameter of 2.5 mm is cooled with liquid nitrogen and placed on the exposed skull bone over the parietal cortex (coordinates from bregma: 1.5 mm posterior, 1.5 mm lateral). The tip diameter and the contact time between the tip and the parietal skull determine the extent of cryolesion. Due to an early damage of the blood brain barrier, the cryogenic cortical injury is characterized by vasogenic edema, marked brain swelling, and inflammation. The lesion grows during the first 24 hours, a process involving complex interactions between endothelial cells, immune cells, cerebral blood flow, and the intracranial pressure. These contribute substantially to the damage from the initial injury. The major advantage of the cryogenic lesion model is the circumscribed and highly reproducible lesion size and location.
Highlights
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its sequel represent a major cause of disability and death worldwide [1]
Several models of experimental traumatic brain injury have been developed in an attempt to reproduce different aspects of the biomechanical impairments and neurological deficits observed in human head injury
Further important read out criteria within this animal model is the assessment of the cerebral vasculature permeability after breakdown of the blood brain barrier (BBB) to evaluate the traumatic vasogenic edema formation
Summary
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its sequel represent a major cause of disability and death worldwide [1]. TBI consists of the primary irreversible damage and a multitude of secondary cascades, resulting progressively in tissue degeneration and neurological impairment [2,3,4]. Several models of experimental traumatic brain injury have been developed in an attempt to reproduce different aspects of the biomechanical impairments and neurological deficits observed in human head injury. The controlled cortical impact trauma is induced by using a pneumatic impactor to impact exposed brain with a measurable, controllable impact speed and cortical deformation [7]. In comparison to these two models of. Cone-shaped copper or aluminium cylinder with tip diameter of 2.5 mm and a body coated with polystyrene (Figure 2)
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