Non-Invasive High-Frequency Ultrasound and Doppler Imaging of Rat Brain Hemodynamics

Abstract

Source: Giustetto, P., et. al., Non-invasive Parenchymal, Vascular and Metabolic High-frequency Ultrasound and Photoacoustic Rat Deep Brain Imaging. J. Vis. Exp. (2015)

In this video, we demonstrate the use of high-frequency ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging to study the vasculature and hemoglobin content in the rat brain. This method provides detailed insights into cerebral perfusion and blood oxygenation, enabling non-invasive analysis of brain vascular structures and oxygen distribution.

Protocol

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

1. Preparation

1. Anesthesia
   1. Place the animal inside the appropriate isoflurane chamber to anesthetize it.
   2. Fill the chamber with mixed O₂ and isoflurane gas for veterinary use at a concentration of 2.5% in a 2 L gas chamber and wait for about 3 min for the rat to fall asleep. Check for the effect of anesthesia by a toe pinch.
   3. Once the anesthesia takes effect, remove the rat and weigh it.
   4. Spread a thin layer of water soluble o....

Results

Figure 1: Animal disposal for temporal image acquisition. (a) The arrangement of the animal on the worktop.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
High frequency ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging station (VEVO LAZR 2100 system)	FUJIFILM VisualSonics Inc.
Vevo Compact Dual Anesthesia System (Tabletop Version)	FUJIFILM VisualSonics Inc.		http://www.visualsonics.com/anesthesiasystem#sthash.opODtSht.dpuf
Ultrasound Transmission Gel (Aquasonic 100)	PARKER LABORATORIES INC.	01-08	http://www.parkerlabs.com/aquasonic-100.asp
Sprague-Dawley rats	Charles River Laboratories		Three helathy 6-weeks old Sprague-Dawley rats were purchased by Charles River Laboratories and kept in standard housing (12 h light-dark cycles) with a standard rodent chow and water available ad libitum. Provided by: http://www.criver.com/