Cardiovascular researchers at UC Davis Health have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of neuroscience that revolutionizes the way scientists study the brain’s interaction with other organs. Their innovative technique involves preserving brain tissue in animal research while simultaneously collecting living samples from other organs, such as the heart or gut.
Traditionally, neuroscience animal studies involved preserving the entire body, which made it challenging to study living tissues from the same animal. However, with this new method developed by the researchers at UC Davis Health, scientists can now conduct a variety of analyses, including histology, functional, and molecular studies, using fixed brain tissue and unfixed tissues from the same experimental animal.
“This dual-preservation method is a significant advancement in animal research, as it maximizes the scientific value of each model while reducing the number of animals needed for comprehensive studies,” explained Xiaodong Zhang, a professor of cardiovascular medicine and the corresponding author of the study.
By preserving the brain tissue while keeping other organs fresh, researchers can delve deeper into understanding the complex connections between the brain and other organs during preclinical studies using animal models. This method not only provides a powerful tool for studying brain-body interactions but is also cost-effective and versatile, as it can be adapted across different animal models.
“This technique allows us to conduct multiple types of studies using the same animal, which was not possible in the past. This means fewer animals, lower costs, and more comprehensive data from each experiment,” Zhang added.
The research paper detailing this innovative method, titled “Protocol for mouse carotid artery perfusion for in situ brain tissue fixation and parallel unfixed tissue collection,” can be found in STAR Protocols. This breakthrough in tissue preservation opens up new possibilities for studying the intricate relationship between the brain and other organs, paving the way for future advancements in neuroscience research.
For more information, you can access the full study with DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2025.103699. This document highlights the importance of novel tissue preservation methods in enabling brain-body studies in animal research.
In conclusion, this cutting-edge technique developed by UC Davis Health researchers has the potential to reshape the landscape of neuroscience research by providing a more efficient and cost-effective way to study brain-body interactions in animal models.
