Long-term vascular access ports as a means of sedative administration in a rodent fMRI survival model

Authors

Patrick C. Hettinger, Medical College of Wisconsin
Rupeng Li, Medical College of Wisconsin
Ji-Geng Yan, Medical College of Wisconsin
Hani S. Matloub, Medical College of
Younghoon R. Cho, Medical College of Wisconsin
Christopher P. Pawela, Medical College of Wisconsin
Daniel B. Rowe, Marquette UniversityFollow
James S. Hyde, Medical College of Wisconsin

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

7 p.

Publication Date

9-2011

Publisher

Elsevier

Source Publication

Journal of Neuroscience Methods

Source ISSN

0165-0270

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2011.06.018

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to develop a rodent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) survival model with the use of heparin-coated vascular access devices. Such a model would ease the administration of sedative agents, reduce the number of animals required in survival experiments and eliminate animal-to-animal variability seen in previous designs. Seven male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent surgical placement of an MRI-compatible vascular access port, followed by implantable electrode placement on the right median nerve. Functional MRI during nerve stimulation and resting-state functional connectivity MRI (fcMRI) were performed at times 0, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks postoperatively using a 9.4 T scanner. Anesthesia was maintained using intravenous dexmedetomidine and reversed using atipamezole. There were no fatalities or infectious complications during this study. All vascular access ports remained patent. Blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) activation by electrical stimulation of the median nerve using implanted electrodes was seen within the forelimb sensory region (S1FL) for all animals at all time points. The number of activated voxels decreased at time points 4 and 8 weeks, returning to a normal level at 12 weeks, which is attributed to scar tissue formation and resolution around the embedded electrode. The applications of this experiment extend far beyond the scope of peripheral nerve experimentation. These vascular access ports can be applied to any survival MRI study requiring repeated medication administration, intravenous contrast, or blood sampling.

Comments

Accepted version. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, Vol. 200, No. 2 (September 2011): 106-112. DOI. © 2011 Elsevier. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Hettinger, Patrick C.; Li, Rupeng; Yan, Ji-Geng; Matloub, Hani S.; Cho, Younghoon R.; Pawela, Christopher P.; Rowe, Daniel B.; and Hyde, James S., "Long-term vascular access ports as a means of sedative administration in a rodent fMRI survival model" (2011). Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science Faculty Research and Publications. 25.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/mscs_fac/25