Induction of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in a Mouse Model

Secure an anesthetized, prepped mouse in a stereotaxic frame with its skull exposed. 

Identify the skull reference points. Then, position a head support apparatus under the animal’s head and inflate it to prevent ear damage. 

Align a stereotaxically guided electromagnetic impactor over the head. 

Reset the stereotaxic coordinates to precisely align the impactor probe over the target. Attach a contact sensor to the animal's ear.

Once the probe touches the skull, retract it. Set the desired impact depth and initiate the impact with the appropriate parameters. 

The probe delivers a controlled force to the skull, inducing axonal stretching and shearing in cortical neurons, which leads to mild traumatic brain injury.

Measure the animal’s righting time, the time taken to regain normal body position post-injury. 

Evaluate the mouse for visible skull fractures.

Then, remove the mouse from the frame, close the incision, and apply antibiotics.

Allow the mouse to recover.