The Rat Nervous System: An Introduction to Preparatory Techniques / Edition 1

by J. P. Cassella, J. Hay, S. J. Lawson

Overview

Provides an accessible guide to the dissection and perfusion of rats, placing particular emphasis on the preparation of nervous tissue for further study in the laboratory including biochemical analysis and microscopic study. Logically structured with highly illustrated chapters, the book provides a comprehensive introduction to those techniques required to provide consistent, high-quality tissues for subsequent investigation. An overview of the essential topics of animal husbandry of a high standard and minimisation of discomfort is also incorporated.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780471969679
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	04/03/1997
Pages:	116
Product dimensions:	8.52(w) x 11.69(h) x 0.35(d)

About the Author

J. P. Cassella is the author of The Rat Nervous System: An Introduction to Preparatory Techniques, published by Wiley.

J. Hay is the author of The Rat Nervous System: An Introduction to Preparatory Techniques, published by Wiley.

S. J. Lawson is the author of The Rat Nervous System: An Introduction to Preparatory Techniques, published by Wiley.

Table of Contents

Gross Anatomy.
Anatomy of the Nervous System.
Anaesthesia.
Biological Fixation.
Brain Extraction.
Extraction of Selected Cranial Nerves, Intact Spinal Cord and Sciatic Nerves.
Appendices.
Glossary.
Bibliography.
Index.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Celso Agner, MD, MS, MSc (Michigan Neurology Partners)
Description: The results that basic research produces start with countless hours of hard work in the laboratory. From the experiment protocol proposal, through the sedation, anesthesia, basic surgical procedures, microsurgical techniques, recording, and the rat's perfusion and removal of the adequate structures, it is a long and sometimes unsuccessful path.
Purpose: This book is composed of 105 pages and 7 chapters and addresses how to perform each of the important procedures in the rat.
Audience: It is intended for researchers with little or no experience in animal research.
Features: The book starts with a comprehensive description of the rat's anatomy. Illustrations are adequately provided throughout the text and help the reader to better understand or imagine what is the best approach to reach certain parts of the animal with minimal damage to neighboring structures. The authors carefully created a different chapter just on the anatomy of the nervous system, which is the subject of several experiments conducted in anatomy and physiology laboratories. Interestingly, the authors did not present the microanatomy of the brain, but just its macroscopic aspects, although most of the experiments are conducted on the microscopic level. The following four chapters describe the surgical procedures per se, including anesthesia, biological fixation, brain extraction, and extraction of selected cranial nerves, intact spinal cord, and sciatic nerves. In my view, chapter 6, which deals with brain extraction and explains the complete procedure of perfusion and how to extract the brain without lesioning any vital structure, is one of the most well illustrated and important for neuroscience researchers.
Assessment: Overall, I found the book extremely useful for beginning researchers interested in understanding laboratory techniques and details and for experienced researchers who wish to visualize procedures that are of considerable importance in their daily work.

Doody's Review Service

3 Stars from Doody

The results that basic research produces start with countless hours of hard work in the laboratory. From the experiment protocol proposal, through the sedation, anesthesia, basic surgical procedures, microsurgical techniques, recording, and the rat's perfusion and removal of the adequate structures, it is a long and sometimes unsuccessful path. This book is composed of 105 pages and 7 chapters and addresses how to perform each of the important procedures in the rat. It is intended for researchers with little or no experience in animal research. The book starts with a comprehensive description of the rat's anatomy. Illustrations are adequately provided throughout the text and help the reader to better understand or imagine what is the best approach to reach certain parts of the animal with minimal damage to neighboring structures. The authors carefully created a different chapter just on the anatomy of the nervous system, which is the subject of several experiments conducted in anatomy and physiology laboratories. Interestingly, the authors did not present the microanatomy of the brain, but just its macroscopic aspects, although most of the experiments are conducted on the microscopic level. The following four chapters describe the surgical procedures per se, including anesthesia, biological fixation, brain extraction, and extraction of selected cranial nerves, intact spinal cord, and sciatic nerves. In my view, chapter 6, which deals with brain extraction and explains the complete procedure of perfusion and how to extract the brain without lesioning any vital structure, is one of the most well illustrated and important for neuroscience researchers. Overall, I found the bookextremely useful for beginning researchers interested in understanding laboratory techniques and details and for experienced researchers who wish to visualize procedures that are of considerable importance in their daily work.

Celso Agner