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Using anesthetics and analgesics in experimental traumatic brain injury

Lab Animal volume 42, pages 286–291 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Valid modeling of traumatic brain injury (TBI) requires accurate replication of both the mechanical forces that cause the primary injury and the conditions that lead to secondary injuries observed in human patients. The use of animals in TBI research is justified by the lack of in vitro or computer models that can sufficiently replicate the complex pathological processes involved. Measures to reduce nociception and distress must be implemented, but the administration of anesthetics and analgesics can influence TBI outcomes, threatening the validity of the research. In this review, the authors present evidence for the interference of anesthetics and analgesics in the natural course of brain injury in animal models of TBI. They suggest that drugs should be selected for or excluded from experimental TBI protocols on the basis of IACUC-approved experimental objectives in order to protect animal welfare and preserve the validity of TBI models.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. Pooja Talauliker for her contributions to the outline and the organization of this review.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ

    Rachel K. Rowe,  Jordan L. Harrison,  Theresa C. Thomas,  P. David Adelson &  Jonathan Lifshitz

  2. Department of Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine–Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ

    Rachel K. Rowe,  Jordan L. Harrison,  Theresa C. Thomas,  P. David Adelson &  Jonathan Lifshitz

  3. Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

    Rachel K. Rowe,  Theresa C. Thomas &  Jonathan Lifshitz

  4. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

    James R. Pauly

  5. Spinal Cord & Brain Injury Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY

    James R. Pauly

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Correspondence to Jonathan Lifshitz.

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Rowe, R., Harrison, J., Thomas, T. et al. Using anesthetics and analgesics in experimental traumatic brain injury. Lab Anim 42, 286–291 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/laban.257

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