Neurochemical Atlas of the Rabbit Spinal Cord

Overview

Journal Brain Struct Funct

Specialty Neurology

Date 2024 Aug 8

PMID 39115602

Authors

Aleksandr Veshchitskii

Polina Shkorbatova

Natalia Merkulyeva

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Complex neurophysiological and morphologic experiments require suitable animal models for investigation. The rabbit is one of the most successful models for studying spinal cord functions owing to its substantial size. However, achieving precise surgical access to specific spinal regions requires a thorough understanding of the spinal cord's cytoarchitectonic structure and its spatial relationship with the vertebrae. The comprehensive anatomo-neurochemical atlases of the spinal cord are invaluable for attaining such insight. While such atlases exist for some rodents and primates, none exist for rabbits. We have developed a spinal cord atlas for rabbits to bridge this gap. Utilizing various neurochemical markers-including antibodies to NeuN, calbindin 28 kDa, parvalbumin, choline acetyltransferase, nitric oxide synthase, and non-phosphorylated heavy-chain neurofilaments (SMI-32 antibody)-we present the visualization of diverse spinal neuronal populations, various spinal cord metrics, stereotaxic maps of transverse slices for each spinal segment, and a spatial map detailing the intricate relationship between the spinal cord and the vertebrae across its entire length.

Citing Articles

Towards multi-modal, multi-species brain atlases: part two.

Mars R, Palomero-Gallagher N Brain Struct Funct. 2024; 229(8):1769-1772.

PMID: 39343839 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-024-02858-5.

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