Technique to Induce Post-Traumatic Seizures in a Mouse Model via a Weight Drop Traumatic Injury

Begin with an anesthetized mouse and place it on a foam pad with a cavity to immobilize the mouse.

Next, place a stainless-steel disc on its head between the eyes and ears.

Then, position the mouse's head under the weight drop device, consisting of a tube with a weight rod secured by a pin.

Remove the pin, allowing the weight rod to fall freely onto the disc. The disc evenly distributes the mechanical force across the brain.

This mechanical force disrupts the brain tissue, inducing neuronal damage and resulting in widespread traumatic brain injury.

The injured neurons release excessive glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter.

Glutamate binds to its receptors on postsynaptic neurons, opening ion channels.

This allows the influx of calcium and sodium ions into neurons, causing neuronal hyperexcitability.

This hyperexcitability of neurons results in abnormal brain activities known as seizures.