Inducing Brain Death in a Mouse Model Using a Balloon Catheter

Abstract

Source: Ritschl, P. V., et al.  Brain Death Induction in Mice Using Intra-Arterial Blood Pressure Monitoring and Ventilation via Tracheostomy. J. Vis. Exp. (2020).

This video demonstrates the procedure for inducing brain death in a mouse model by increasing controlled intracranial pressure through a balloon catheter, mimicking natural brain death.

Protocol

All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board.

1. Arterial catheterization

1. Anesthetize the mouse with an intraperitoneal injection of ketamine and xylazine and an analgesic according to local practice (e.g., buprenorphine). Pinch the hind limbs with forceps to confirm the correct depth of anesthesia.
   NOTE: For this study, male C57BL/6N mice at the age of 8−12 weeks were used (weight 20−25 g). The authors have tested male BALB/c of the same age unsuccessfully but have not tried oth....

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Arterial catheter (BD Neoflon 26G)	BD	391349
Blood Pressure Transducers (APT300)	Harvard Apparatus Inc.	73-3862
Fogarty Arterial Embolectomy Catheter N° 3	Edwards Lifesciences Corporation	120403F
Forceps	FST	11271-30
Homeothermic Blanket Systems with Flexible Probe	Harvard Apparatus Inc.	55-7020
Ketansol	Graeub	6680110
Micro scissor	FST	15018-10
Needle holder	FST	12060-02
Prolene 5-0	Ethicon	8698H
Pump 11 Elite Infusion Only Single	Harvard Apparatus Inc.	70-4500
Scissor	FST	14075-11
Stereotactic microscope	Olympus	SZX7
Transpore Tape	3M	1527-1
Underpads	Molinea.A	274301
Ventilator for mice (MiniVent Model 845)	Harvard Apparatus Inc.	73-0043
Xylasol	Graeub	7630109