The Development of Evoked Potential Procedures for the Assessment of Non-Freezing Cold Injury in the Rat
Abstract
This report focuses on the development of evoked potential (EP) methods for measuring and quantifying non-freezing cold injury (NFCI) in the rat tail. A neural volley can be elicited by electrical stimulation of the tail and recorded at various points along pathways to the brain. Through signal averaging, EPs can be derived and monitored in order to quantify the effects of cold on neural function. In the present study, the recording techniques and parameters are discussed relative to initial studies in which injuries were induced through prolonged exposure of the tail to cold water. Cold exposure produced profound changes in EP amplitudes and latencies recorded on the tail, lower back, and over the somatosensory cortex of the brain. Collectively, results indicate that the EP methodology is sensitive to neural dysfunction resulting from cold and will therefore be useful in future studies of NFCI.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA223471
Entities
People
- D. Shurtleff
- Jomin Thomas
- K. F. Van Orden
- S. T. Ahlers
Organizations
- Naval Medical Research Center