Abstract
In chronic recording experiments, self curing dental acrylic resins have been used widely as a mounting base of electrodes or microdialysis-probes. Since these acrylics do not bond to the bone, screws have been used as anchors. However, in small experimental animals like finches or mice, their craniums are fragile and can not successfully hold the anchors. In this report, we propose a new application of light-curing dental adhesive resins for mounting base of chronic recording electrodes or probes in freely moving animals. Compared to the application of conventional self curing resins, this material has several important advantages. Firstly, this material allows direct bonding to the cranium. Therefore, anchor screws are not required and surgical field can be reduced considerably. Past experiences have shown that the bonding effect maintains more than 2 months. Secondly, it is easy to handle. Conventional resin's window of time, when the materials are pliable and workable, is within a few minutes. However, the window of working time for this light curing dental adhesive resin is significantly wider and adjustable. Thirdly, reaction does not generate heat. Curing reaction of self-curing resin is exothermal. When the mounting base is thick, this heat accumulates and may damage the tissue. Reaction of light curing resin does not generate such heat. In this report, we used the finches as subjects. It is also advised that this technique is applicable to chronic implantations of electrodes or probes in other experimental animals such as frog, mouse, and monkey. [J Physiol Sci. 2008;58 Suppl:S96]
