Many agents do not cross the blood-brain barrier sufficiently to evaluate their effects on the brain without delivering them locally. Cerebral injection is one local delivery method, but it can be challenging to deliver an effective dose in a physiologically-compatible volume. In addition, the agent may not remain in the target location long enough to see an effect. For many compounds, local infusion directly into the brain is the only way to generate reliable data. ALZET pumps have been used in hundreds of published neuroscience studies to infuse agents, from growth factors to siRNA to psychoactive drugs and more, to the central nervous system.
The ALZET Brain Infusion Kits are designed specifically for use with ALZET pumps for targeted delivery to the central nervous system. They can be used in two ways:
Infusion into the cerebral ventricles exposes a wide variety of brain regions to the infusate via the cerebrospinal fluid which bathes the brain.
Direct microperfusion of discrete brain structures results in localized distribution of infusate in the target tissue.
Each ALZET Brain Infusion Kit includes materials for 10 brain infusions:
10 Brain Infusion Cannulae
10 Vinyl Catheter Tubes
40 Depth-Adjustment Spacers
1 Instruction Sheet
Three brain cannulae designs are available to meet most common CNS applications mice and rats