Fluid-percussion–induced traumatic brain injury model in rats

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity. Various attempts have been made to replicate clinical TBI using animal models. The fluid-percussion model (FP) is one of the oldest and most commonly used models of experimentally induced TBI. Both central (CFP) and lateral (LFP) variations of the model have been used. Developed initially for use in larger species, the standard FP device was adapted more than 20 years ago to induce consistent degrees of brain injury in rodents. Recently, we developed a microprocessor-controlled, pneumatically driven instrument, micro-FP (MFP), to address operational concerns associated with the use of the standard FP device in rodents. We have characterized the MFP model with regard to injury severity according to behavioral and histological outcomes. In this protocol, we review the FP models and detail surgical procedures for LFP. The surgery involves tracheal intubation, craniotomy and fixation of Luer fittings, and induction of injury. The surgical procedure can be performed within 45–50 min.

Repeated Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Causes Chronic Neuroinflammation, Changes in Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity, and Associated Cognitive Deficits

“…Based on previous studies, we determined that mild injury corresponded to a pressure pulse of 1.1 to 1.4 atmospheres (atm), producing modest behavioral impairment in contrast to moderate TBI using the LFP model, which causes significant behavioral impairments. 13,15 Rats were subjected to single mild, repeated mild, or sham surgeries. Repeated mild groups received injury on days 0, 2, and 4.…”

“…Based on our previous characterization studies 15 using the rat LFP model, we determined a level of mTBI that causes modest behavioral impairment, when compared with moderate TBI, which causes significant behavioral dysfunction coupled with progressive neuronal cell loss, and chronic microglial and astrocyte activation. 13,15 And others have shown significant TBI-induced changes in neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity across hippocampal subregions using experimental models of more severe TBI.…”

“…13,15 And others have shown significant TBI-induced changes in neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity across hippocampal subregions using experimental models of more severe TBI. [9][10][11] In the present study, we demonstrated that repeated mTBI using the rat LFP model produced similar functional and histologic changes as a single moderate injury-including impaired cognitive performance, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration.…”

Lateral Fluid Percussion: Model of Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice

“…The pulse is created by a pendulum striking the piston of a reservoir of fluid. The percussion produces brief displacement and deformation of neural tissue 1,15 . Conversely, cortical impact injury delivers mechanical energy to the intact dura via a rigid impactor under pneumatic pressure 16,17 .…”

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: General Characteristics, Neurodegenerative Consequenses and Modeling

“…Потік рідини спрямовується трубкою, що поєднує апарат і ділянку пошкодження. Сту-пінь пошкодження залежить від тиску, який потік рідини справляє на головний мозок [54]. Тиск, у свою чергу, регулюється через висоту, з якої маятник вдаряє по резервуару з рідиною.…”