Chronically implanted epineural electrodes for repeated assessment of nerve conduction velocity and compound action potential amplitude in rodents

J Neurosci Methods. 2004 Jan 15;132(1):25-33. doi: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2003.08.013.

Abstract

Implanted epineural electrodes were used for the longitudinal assessment of peripheral nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and compound action potential (CAP) amplitude in rats. Custom-fabricated stimulating and recording electrodes were sutured over the tibial and sciatic nerves, respectively, and were used for weekly recordings of CAP latency and amplitude. Intra-day variability of nerve conduction velocity measurements had coefficients of variation of less than 2% for same day recordings from individual subjects. A clear trend in recovery of the NCV values following implant was observed over the 7-week trial period. These results demonstrate that implanted epineural electrodes provide a reliable method for chronic, in vivo monitoring of nerve conduction parameters in rodents.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Electrodes, Implanted*
  • Electrophysiology / methods*
  • Male
  • Neural Conduction / physiology*
  • Peripheral Nerves / physiology*
  • Peripheral Nerves / radiation effects
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Reaction Time
  • Time Factors