Stereotaxic Clamp
Stereotaxic Clamp - Related Videos
08:28
Rodent Stereotaxic Surgery
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2023
Stereotaxic (or stereotactic) surgery is a method used to manipulate the brain of living animals. This technique allows researchers to accurately target deep structures within the brain through the use of a stereotaxic atlas, which provides the 3D coordinates of each area with respect to anatomical landmarks on the skull. After the skull is exposed, anesthetized animals are mounted on a specialized instrument known as a stereotaxic frame, which enables the precise placement of experimental...
00:08
Survivable Stereotaxic Surgery in Rodents
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Cited by 50 •
2008
The monitoring of extracellular neurotransmitter levels in distinct brain regions of freely moving animals offers insights on the link between neurotransmitter release and behavior. In vivo microdialysis coupled with electrochemical detection provides excellent anatomical and chemical resolution; and information on how basal neurotransmission is altered by pharmacological or physiological manipulations.
09:09
Dissecting the Non-human Primate Brain in Stereotaxic Space
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Cited by 14 •
2009
The non-human primate is an important translational species for our understanding of the normal processing of the brain. The anatomical organization of the primate brain can provide important insights into normal and pathological conditions in humans.
12:45
Stereotaxic Surgery for Excitotoxic Lesion of Specific Brain Areas in the Adult Rat
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Cited by 22 •
2012
Targeted ablation of specific brain region(s) by infusion of an excitotoxin using stereotaxic coordinates is described. This technique could also be adapted for infusion of other chemicals into the rat brain.
11:40
Building An Open-source Robotic Stereotaxic Instrument
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Cited by 18 •
2013
This protocol includes the designs and software necessary to upgrade an existing stereotaxic instrument to a robotic (computer numeric controlled; CNC) stereotaxic instrument for around $1,000 (excluding a drill).
FAQs
Skull grips and ear bars provide alternative contact points for stabilizing the animal’s head on a stereotaxic frame. Their purpose is to limit movement while preserving a consistent relationship between the skull and instruments. This mechanical reference supports repeatable access to intended brain locations during targeted neuroscience interventions.
Alignment establishes a reproducible spatial reference for moving instruments along three axes. When the head remains consistently positioned, researchers can relate instrument placement to defined brain coordinates across procedures or experimental subjects. Poorly maintained alignment can reduce targeting consistency, making microinjections, electrode placement, imaging, or lesion studies harder to compare reliably.
Effectiveness depends on secure attachment to the stereotaxic frame and stable contact with the skull or ear bars. The head must remain fixed throughout instrument positioning and the intervention. Any movement changes the relationship between the instrument and the brain, potentially reducing coordinate accuracy and weakening the reproducibility of surgical or measurement outcomes.
Researchers first attach the clamp to the stereotaxic frame, then position the animal’s head so the skull or ear bars are held securely. After stabilization, instruments can be guided using the frame’s three-axis reference. The setup then supports procedures such as targeted microinjection, electrode placement, lesion work, or brain imaging.
The device is useful whenever an experiment requires instruments or measurements to reach a defined brain region consistently. Supported applications include targeted microinjections, electrode placement, lesion studies, and brain imaging in small-animal models. Its value is greatest when head motion could interfere with accurate access or make results difficult to reproduce.
Stable fixation improves confidence that differences in measurements or surgical results reflect the intended intervention rather than changes in head position. By reducing motion and preserving a repeatable spatial reference, the setup strengthens comparisons among procedures and subjects. This is particularly relevant when researchers evaluate localized brain effects or obtain position-dependent measurements.