Journal of neuroscience methods
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J. Neurosci. Methods · Feb 2005
Comparative StudyA microcapsule technique for long-term conduction block of the sciatic nerve by tetrodotoxin.
Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a selective blocker of voltage-gated Na+ channels that is used to block action potentials in vitro and in vivo. Maintaining a sufficiently high local concentration of TTX in vivo to block conduction in a peripheral nerve is technically demanding and carries a risk of systemic toxicity. ⋯ The conduction block was reversible and did not cause any obvious nerve injury. Low cost and simple surgical implementation make this new system an interesting alternative to existing long-term drug delivery methods.
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J. Neurosci. Methods · Feb 2005
Comparative StudyAnalysis of behavioral asymmetries in the elevated plus-maze and in the T-maze.
When studying functional asymmetries in normal laboratory rats, several behavioral tests have been applied and proven their utility, including turning in rotometers or open-fields, handedness in paw usage, T-maze alternation, and others. Here, we analyzed male Wistar rats in two tests, namely the elevated plus-maze and the T-maze. In these tests, behavioral asymmetries are rather likely to occur, since the animals have to show several types of turns towards the left or right when ambulating through these environments. ⋯ In addition, it provides new evidence with respect to the elevated plus-maze, indicating that this standard tool of anxiety research may also be useful in research on behavioral asymmetries and their underlying brain mechanisms. Behavioral biases in favor of the right, as shown here, have often been reported before, especially with Wistar rats. Such biases should be taken into account, since they can serve as an approach to study brain/behavior relationships, and since they may affect the outcome of physiological manipulations or behavioral trainings.