Focal and restricted traumatic injury models in the rodent brain: limitations, possibilities, and challenges

TY - CHAP

T1 - Focal and restricted traumatic injury models in the rodent brain: limitations, possibilities, and challenges

AU - Mogensen, Jesper

AU - Rytter, Hana Malá

PY - 2019

Y1 - 2019

N2 - Animal models of traumatic brain injury are primarily utilized for the purpose of either (a) conducting basic research—for instance regarding the neurocognitive organization of the brain or (b) the development and evaluation of therapeutic interventions—such as pharmacological and behavioral methods as well as environmental manipulations. While studies focusing on development of therapeutic methods may primarily call for the use of more “ecologically valid” models, studies of the neurocognitive organization of the brain may primarily benefit from the use of focal and anatomically restricted lesions. The present chapter focuses on such models. The primary focus of the chapter is a model in which the fimbria-fornix is selectively transected and hippocampal function consequently severely impaired. The method of this transection is described, and the neural and functional consequences of the lesion are reviewed. In order to best utilize such focal lesions in the analysis of neurocognitive organization additional methods are needed. These methods include combined and simultaneously inflicted focal lesions as well as the use of both organic and behavioral “challenge” techniques. Such an approach enables a deeper understanding of the mediating mechanisms at the level of anatomical structure and/or neurotransmitter system and prevents premature conclusions regarding the neurocognitive organization.

AB - Animal models of traumatic brain injury are primarily utilized for the purpose of either (a) conducting basic research—for instance regarding the neurocognitive organization of the brain or (b) the development and evaluation of therapeutic interventions—such as pharmacological and behavioral methods as well as environmental manipulations. While studies focusing on development of therapeutic methods may primarily call for the use of more “ecologically valid” models, studies of the neurocognitive organization of the brain may primarily benefit from the use of focal and anatomically restricted lesions. The present chapter focuses on such models. The primary focus of the chapter is a model in which the fimbria-fornix is selectively transected and hippocampal function consequently severely impaired. The method of this transection is described, and the neural and functional consequences of the lesion are reviewed. In order to best utilize such focal lesions in the analysis of neurocognitive organization additional methods are needed. These methods include combined and simultaneously inflicted focal lesions as well as the use of both organic and behavioral “challenge” techniques. Such an approach enables a deeper understanding of the mediating mechanisms at the level of anatomical structure and/or neurotransmitter system and prevents premature conclusions regarding the neurocognitive organization.

KW - Faculty of Social Sciences

KW - Focal lesions

KW - Fimbria-fornix

KW - Hippocampus

KW - Prefrontal cortex

KW - Combined lesions

KW - Neurocognitive organization

KW - Cognitive recovery

KW - Behavioral challenges

KW - Organic challenges

KW - Rat

U2 - 10.1007/978-1-4939-9711-4_2

DO - 10.1007/978-1-4939-9711-4_2

M3 - Book chapter

T3 - Neuromethods

SP - 19

EP - 46

BT - Animal Models of Neurotrauma

A2 - Risling, Mårten

A2 - Davidsson, Johan

PB - Springer

ER -