TY - JOUR
T1 - A novel method of head fixation for the study of rodent facial function
AU - Hadlock, Tessa
AU - Kowaleski, Jeffrey
AU - Mackinnon, Susan
AU - Heaton, James T.
PY - 2007/5
Y1 - 2007/5
N2 - The rodent vibrissial system offers an excellent model for the study of both sensory and motor function. It has been widely employed to gather data pertaining to sensory and motor function involving the 5th and 7th cranial nerves and the central nervous system. Existing methods of head fixation for precise measurements of ocular and vibrissial function involve exposing the cranium and applying dental cement from which two or more threaded rods emerge. This common approach is suboptimal, requiring a relatively complicated implantation procedure, and results in a large, chronic interface between the scalp and environmentally exposed implant material attached to the skull. Here we describe a head fixation device that is inexpensive, easy to build, less prone to infection, preserves access to the cranial midline, and permits repeated measurements over many months.
AB - The rodent vibrissial system offers an excellent model for the study of both sensory and motor function. It has been widely employed to gather data pertaining to sensory and motor function involving the 5th and 7th cranial nerves and the central nervous system. Existing methods of head fixation for precise measurements of ocular and vibrissial function involve exposing the cranium and applying dental cement from which two or more threaded rods emerge. This common approach is suboptimal, requiring a relatively complicated implantation procedure, and results in a large, chronic interface between the scalp and environmentally exposed implant material attached to the skull. Here we describe a head fixation device that is inexpensive, easy to build, less prone to infection, preserves access to the cranial midline, and permits repeated measurements over many months.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=34247215148&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.expneurol.2007.02.014
DO - 10.1016/j.expneurol.2007.02.014
M3 - Article
C2 - 17397835
AN - SCOPUS:34247215148
SN - 0014-4886
VL - 205
SP - 279
EP - 282
JO - Experimental Neurology
JF - Experimental Neurology
IS - 1
ER -