Development and Characterization of the Rat Paraplegia Model
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Authors
Neal, Sandra
Issue Date
1986
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Paralysis in the lower extremities following trauma, extrinsic
compression, profound shock, and certain surgical procedures in the
human is an important problem. In the past, research has been
restricted to a rabbit spinal cord ischemia model which has the
disadvantage of a poorly defined range for grading neurologic deficit.
The goal of this study was to develop a model of paraplegia in the more
neurologically versatile rat. Eight surgical interventions were
attempted before achieving a permanent paraplegia which lasted beyond a
temporary occlusion period. The successful surgical method involved a
thoracotomy with division of the right internal thoracic artery
followed by a 15 minute occlusion of the thoracic aorta between the
left common carotid and left subclavian arteries. An
experimenter-performed neurologic score was developed to grade fine
differences in degrees of deficit. Three separate occlusion periods
(10, 15, and 20 minutes) were tested and it was determined that a 15
minute occlusion period produced an intermediate degree of deficit
based on the neurologic deficit scale. In addition to the neurologic
deficit scale, a computerized activity monitor was adapted to
characterize the range of neurologic deficit produced. Normal rats
were tested in both a divided and an undivided computerized activity
monitor to determine baseline activity levels and to define the effects
of habituation. Rats were more active in undivided cages and,
therefore, greater ranges of activity could be separated following
paraplegia. Based on these results, experimental rats, after receiving
control injections of saline, underwent 15 minute occlusion periods
followed by neurologic deficit scoring (1, 4, 18, 24 hours
postocclusion) and computerized activity monitoring in an undivided
cage (1 and 18 hours postocclusion). It is concluded that:
1) Paraplegia is reliably and reproducibly achieved in this rat model,
2) Because of the more extensive behavioral repertoire of the
laboratory rat when compared to other models of spinal ischemia
(rabbit), more endpoints can be monitored and more subtle behavioral
deficits discerned, 3) Computerized activity monitoring can distinguish
varying degrees of neurologic deficit in the rat paraplegia model, but
further refinement is required.
Description
v, 26 p.
Citation
Publisher
Kalamazoo College
License
U.S. copyright laws protect this material. Commercial use or distribution of this material is not permitted without prior written permission of the copyright holder.