NEW TECHNIQUE FOR CANNULAE IMPLANTATION INTO THE DORSAL RAPHE NUCLEUSUSING LAYER-5 OF CEREBELLUM REFERENCE IN RAT STEREOTAXIC SURGERY

A new surgical method for needle or electrode implantation using layer 5 of the cerebellum (C5) as anatomical reference in rat stereotaxic s urgery was developed. The coordinates of the new technique for electro de or needle implantation into dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) are: PA: 3.2 0-340 mm, V: 6.00-6.40 mm, and L: 0.00 mm. The success of the new surg ical procedure was confirmed by histological control of the lesion imp act of the electrode into NRD. This lesion impact was well positioned in 83-86% of implanted rats. The use of this method can be extended to other nuclei than the DRN of the brain for cannula implantation. In a ddition, it can be used in rats on a larger scale, because it suppress es the limitations due to age and body weight.