Isolation and Mechanical Maintenance of the Dog Brain

Abstract

THE metabolism of the brain and the effect of various drugs on the central nervous system and its arteries have been investigated on brain preparations reported to be vascularly isolated^1–4. Few of the investigators have established complete vascular isolation and given satisfactory proof of the brain's viability. Recently, White⁵ et al. reported an anatomic isolation of the monkey brain which was capable of maintaining electrocortical activity for several hours when circulation was provided by a compatible donor monkey. We have described isolation and mechanical perfusion of a viable dog head⁶ and now describe the neurogenic and vascular isolation and maintenance of the living dog brain.