Journal of neuroscience methods
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J. Neurosci. Methods · Mar 2014
Temporary inactivation of the rodent hippocampus: an evaluation of the current methodology.
Temporary cellular inactivation is a useful and increasingly popular approach in examining brain function. In general the methods allow for fast-acting manipulations that have the advantage of being reversible. However, there is significant variation in detailed procedures across experiments and most authors show very little evidence about the extent or duration of inactivation. ⋯ Our methods allowed us to uncover some possible confounding factors. We suggest specific variations in the procedures which decrease or eliminate these problems. We also investigate the properties of the sodium channel blocker ropivacaine and recommend this drug based on its functional profile and established low level of toxicity.
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J. Neurosci. Methods · Mar 2014
Tractography in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using a novel probabilistic tool: a study with tract-based reconstruction compared to voxel-based approach.
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is one of the most sensitive MRI tools for detecting subtle cerebral white matter abnormalities in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Nowadays a plethora of DTI tools have been proposed, but very few methods have been translated into clinical practice. ⋯ DTI tractography metrics provided by TRACULA perfectly agree with those previously reported in several post-mortem and DTI studies, thus demonstrating the accuracy of this method in characterizing the microstructural changes occurring in ALS. With further validation (i.e. considering the heterogeneity of other clinical phenotypes), this method has the potential to become useful for clinical practice providing objective measurements that might aid radiologists in the interpretation of MR images and improve diagnostic accuracy of ALS.
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J. Neurosci. Methods · Mar 2014
Rotterdam Advanced Multiple Plate: a novel method to measure cold hyperalgesia and allodynia in freely behaving rodents.
To investigate the pathophysiology of temperature hypersensitivity in neuropathic pain rodent models, it is essential to be able to quantify the phenotype as objective as possible. Current temperature sensitivity measuring paradigms are performed during exposure to external factors, i.e. light, sound and smell, which modulate behavior significantly. In addition the present outcome measure for temperature hypersensitivity in rodents is the examination of the hind paw lift upon exposure to a certain temperature, which reflects more a reflex-flexion than an experience of pain. ⋯ The results indicate that the RAMP is able to quantify cold hyperalgesia and allodynia in neuropathic pain rats while resolves some of the problems of conventional temperature sensitivity measuring paradigms in rodents.