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Characterizing pig hippocampus could improve translational neuroscience

Date:
September 17, 2018
Source:
Society for Neuroscience
Summary:
A new study establishes the pig as promising preclinical research model for traumatic brain injury and epilepsy.
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Researchers have taken further steps toward developing a superior animal model of neurological conditions such as traumatic brain injury and epilepsy, according to a study of miniature pigs published in eNeuro. The results establish the pig as a promising preclinical research model for hippocampal-dependent human memory disorders.

The structure and function of hippocampus has been extensively studied in rodents and non-human primates, animals that together enable experimental manipulation and a way to address species differences. Domesticated miniature pigs -- developed as laboratory animals for their smaller size and comparative anatomy -- have recently emerged as a middle ground model with potential to bridge the gap between rodents and non-human primates in a single, behaviorally complex organism.

Building on initial neuroimaging studies of the pig brain, John Wolf and colleagues developed new electrophysiology techniques to probe the structure and record neural activity of the Yucatan miniature pig hippocampus. With this approach the researchers confirmed features of the pig hippocampus comparable to those of rodents and non-human primates, allowing for future investigations of translational disease models involving this important brain structure.


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Materials provided by Society for Neuroscience. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Alexandra V. Ulyanova, Paul F. Koch, Carlo Cottone, Michael R. Grovola, Christopher D. Adam, Kevin D. Browne, Maura T. Weber, Robin J. Russo, Kimberly G. Gagnon, Douglas H. Smith, H. Isaac Chen, Victoria E. Johnson, D. Kacy Cullen, John A. Wolf. Electrophysiological Signature Reveals Laminar Structure of the Porcine Hippocampus. eneuro, 2018; ENEURO.0102-18.2018 DOI: 10.1523/ENEURO.0102-18.2018

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Society for Neuroscience. "Characterizing pig hippocampus could improve translational neuroscience." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 17 September 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180917135951.htm>.
Society for Neuroscience. (2018, September 17). Characterizing pig hippocampus could improve translational neuroscience. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 7, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180917135951.htm
Society for Neuroscience. "Characterizing pig hippocampus could improve translational neuroscience." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180917135951.htm (accessed October 7, 2024).

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