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Frontiers in neuroanatomy2020; 14; 614929; doi: 10.3389/fnana.2020.614929

A Systematic Approach to Dissection of the Equine Brain-Evaluation of a Species-Adapted Protocol for Beginners and Experts.

Abstract: Introduction of new imaging modalities for the equine brain have refocused attention on the horse as a natural model for ethological, neuroanatomical, and neuroscientific investigations. As opposed to imaging studies, strategies for equine neurodissection still lack a structured approach, standardization and reproducibility. In contrast to other species, where adapted protocols for sampling have been published, no comparable guideline is currently available for equids. Hence, we developed a species-specific slice protocol for whole brain vs. hemispheric dissection and tested its applicability and practicability in the field, as well as its neuroanatomical accuracy and reproducibility. Dissection steps are concisely described and depicted by schematic illustrations, photographs and instructional videos. Care was taken to show the brain in relation to the raters' hands, cutting devices and bench surface. Guidance is based on a minimum of external anatomical landmarks followed by geometric instructions that led to procurement of 14 targeted slabs. The protocol was performed on 55 formalin-fixed brains by three groups of investigators with different neuroanatomical skills. Validation of brain dissection outcomes addressed the aptitude of slabs for neuroanatomical studies as opposed to simplified routine diagnostic purposes. Across all raters, as much as 95.2% of slabs were appropriate for neuroanatomical studies, and 100% of slabs qualified for a routine diagnostic setting. Neither autolysis nor subfixation significantly affected neuroanatomical accuracy score, while a significant negative effect was observed with brain extraction artifacts. Procedure times ranged from 14 to 66 min and reached a mean duration of 23.25 ± 7.93 min in the last of five trials in inexperienced raters vs. 16 ± 2.83 min in experts, while acceleration of the dissection did not negatively impact neuroanatomical accuracy. This protocol, derived analogously to the consensus report of the International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force in dogs and cats, allows for systematic, quick and easy dissection of the equine brain, even for inexperienced investigators. Obtained slabs feature virtually all functional subcompartments at suitable planes for both diagnostic and neuroscientific investigations and complement the data obtained from imaging studies. The instructive protocol and brain dissection videos are available in Supplementary Material.
Copyright © 2020 Bitschi, Bagó, Rosati, Reese, Goehring and Matiasek.
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Publication Date: 2020-12-18 PubMed ID: 33390909PubMed Central: PMC7775367DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2020.614929Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study presents the development and assessment of an equine-specific brain dissection protocol aimed to improve reproducibility, standardization, and applicability in field and laboratory settings. It was validated in both novice and expert practitioners and showed satisfactory results in terms of anatomical accuracy and practicability.

Study Overview and Aim

  • This research was conducted in response to the absence of a standardized procedure for dissecting the equine brain, despite the growing interest in the horse as a model for neurological and anatomical research.
  • The study’s aim was to design a dissection protocol specific to horses, evaluate its practicability in field situations, and assess its accuracy and reproducability.

Protocol Development and Execution

  • A protocol was designed which used minimal external anatomical landmarks and incorporated geometric instructions to procure 14 targeted slabs.
  • This protocol was executed on a sample of 55 formalin-fixed brains by three distinct groups with varying neuroanatomical skills.

Anatomical Accuracy and Reproducibility

  • The study sought to validate whether the slabs generated from their protocol were sufficient for neuroanatomical examination or predominantly fit for routine diagnostic purposes.
  • They reported that 95.2% of the slabs were indeed suitable for neuroanatomical studies and all slabs were usable in a routine diagnostic setting.
  • They also observed that factors like brain extraction artifacts could negatively affect the neuroanatomical accuracy.

Efficiency and Applicability

  • Assessment of the protocol’s speed was also part of the study, with procedure times ranging from 14 minutes to over an hour, although typically around 23 minutes for novice users versus 16 minutes for experts.
  • Importantly, speeding up the dissection process did not adversely affect the anatomical accuracy.

Conclusion and Relevance

  • The study concluded that their specific protocol enables comprehensive, easy, and quick dissection of the equine brain even for inexperienced researchers, and the slabs obtained were suitable for both diagnostic and neuroscientific studies.
  • They suggest that this protocol—and associated training materials—allows for a more consistent and standardized approach to equine brain dissections, providing valuable utility for researchers and veterinarians.

Cite This Article

APA
Bitschi ML, Bagó Z, Rosati M, Reese S, Goehring LS, Matiasek K. (2020). A Systematic Approach to Dissection of the Equine Brain-Evaluation of a Species-Adapted Protocol for Beginners and Experts. Front Neuroanat, 14, 614929. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnana.2020.614929

Publication

Frontiers in neuroanatomy
ISSN: 1662-5129
NlmUniqueID: 101477943
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 14
Pages: 614929

Researcher Affiliations

Bitschi, Maya-Lena
  • Section of Clinical and Comparative Neuropathology, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.
Bagó, Zoltán
  • Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety Ltd. (AGES), Institute for Veterinary Disease Control, Mödling, Austria.
Rosati, Marco
  • Section of Clinical and Comparative Neuropathology, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.
Reese, Sven
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, Institute of Anatomy, Histology & Embryology, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.
Goehring, Lutz S
  • Division of Medicine and Reproduction, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Equine Hospital, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.
Matiasek, Kaspar
  • Section of Clinical and Comparative Neuropathology, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.

Conflict of Interest Statement

ZB was employed by the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety Ltd. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Conze TM, Bagó Z, Revilla-Fernández S, Schlegel J, Goehring LS, Matiasek K. Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus (TBEV) Infection in Two Horses. Viruses 2021 Sep 6;13(9).
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