Recording of Visual Evoked Potentials via the Skull Electrodes in a Rat Model

Abstract

Source: You, Y., et al. Visual Evoked Potential Recording in a Rat Model of Experimental Optic Nerve Demyelination. J. Vis. Exp. (2015).

This video demonstrates the process of measuring visual evoked potentials or VEPs in a dark-adapted, anesthetized rat with pre-implanted skull electrodes, which record the electrical signals from the brain's visual cortex in response to light stimuli.

Protocol

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

1. VEP Electrode Implantation

1. Anesthetize the animal with an intraperitoneal injection of ketamine (75 mg/kg) and medetomidine (0.5 mg/kg).
   NOTE: Following induction of anesthesia, observe the withdrawal reflexes (pinch test, corneal and palpebral reflex, etc.) and their absence as an indication to begin surgery. Continually monitor animals throughout the surgery and administer additional anesthetic drugs (10% of the initial ketamine dose per top....

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Ketamine 100 mg/ml (Ketamil)	Troy Laboratories	AC 116
Medetomidine 1 mg/ml (Domitor)	Pfizer	sc-204073
Tropicamide 1.0% (Mydriacyl)	Alcon	sc-202371
Homoeothermic blanket system	Harvard Apparatus	NC9203819
Impedance meter	Grass	F-EZM5
Screw electrodes	Micro Fasteners	M1.0×3mm Csk Slot M/T 304 S/S
Subdermal needle electrodes	Grass	F-E3M-72
Rapid Repair	DeguDent GmbH
Light-emitting diode	Nichia	NSPG300A
Bioamplifier	CWE, Inc.	BMA-400
CED system	Cambridge Electronic Design, Ltd.	Power1401