Preparation Of Trigeminal Neuralgia Animal Model Through Stereotactic Trigeminal Nerve Compression Technology

Background: The Trigeminal neuralgia incidence rate in China is about 182/100, 000. Given the lack of pathophysiological understanding of TN, the establishment of a stable and lasting TN animal model is essential to its further pathophysiological study. Methods: The preparation of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) animal model through stereotactic trigeminal nerve compression technology was investigated. Rats were randomly divided into four groups, namely, two experimental and two saline control groups. ION ligation and agar-compressed trigeminal nerve root (TNR) were applied to establish the TN rat model. Videos were revealed for the observation of free behaviour and responses to mechanical facial stimulation to analyse and assess the possible behavioural alterations that would indicate the establishment of TN. Results: After surgery, all experimental rats exhibited changes towards both non-evoked and evoked behaviour. Although CCI had significant changes, the intragroup individual differences were large. The group of agar-compressed TNR still exhibited significant changes 42 d after surgery. No large intragroup individual difference was found, but the operation was relatively difficult than the other method. Conclusions: The establishment of TN rat model by agar-compressed TNR was relatively stable, and could be applied to the pathophysiological study of TN.