NEUROPATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS AFTER INTRACEREBRAL IMPLANTATION OF MICRODIALYSIS CATHETERS

THE neuropathological and immunocytochemical changes in the sheep fore brain following 7 days of microdialysis, using a catheter approved for human use, are described. There was no behavioural dysfunction and li ght microscopy revealed mild astrogliosis and patchy macrophage infilt ration immediately adjacent to the catheter track. The surrounding neu ropil was normal. There was one small subcortical haemorrhage (10 x 1. 5 mm). These findings are similar to those following microdialysis in rodents and suggest that the risk of significant damage to the human b rain is low, that neuropathological changes in the brain around the ca theter should not interfere with local brain metabolism, and that the catheter should be affixed in such a way as to minimize movement-induc ed damage to the brain. (C) 1998 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.