Measuring the Viscoelastic Properties of Mouse Brain Tissue Using Rheometry

Start with a calibrated rheometer with the sandpaper on the top and bottom plates.

Place the mouse brain tissue on the bottom plate.

Lower the measurement plate until it is fully in contact with the tissue.

Add media over the tissue to maintain hydration.

Lower the thermal hood to maintain the temperature.

Set the motor parameters and start the measurements.

The motor's oscillatory motion introduces shear strain and generates stress.

Gradually increase the strain at a fixed frequency to identify the range of the tissue response.

Then, test at different frequencies at a constant strain to observe the tissue behavior over time.

As a functional imaging tool, the rheometer measures storage modulus, which reflects the tissue's elastic behavior, and loss modulus, which reflects its viscous behavior.

A higher storage modulus in brain tissue, at low frequencies, reflects its predominantly elastic behavior.

Attach sandpaper to the 25-millimeter diameter measurement probe. Next, attach the thermal system and mount the probe. Finally, attach another piece of sandpaper to the bottom plate, aligned with the top plate. Calibrate the rheometer as per the manufacturer's instructions.

First, zero the force on