Brain Stem Auditory Evoked Response for Confirmation of Brain Death in the Rat

摘要

Kusaka et al. (1) have established a rat model to study the brain death effects on the kidney. In such models, finding a method of confirming brain death is a major challenge. Kusaka et al. used elec-troencephalography. The model was originally developed by Pratschke et al. (2). After induction of anesthesia, they cause brain death by intracranial balloon inflation. They consider flat electroencephalogram as the major criterion for brain death. They regard apnoea and dilated fixed pupils as additional confirmatory signs.