Large Animal Core (Core 1)

Large Animal Core Abstract We have developed the first validated, gyrencephalic, large animal model of post- traumatic epilepsy achieving extreme, long-term video EEG digital radiotelemetry, and we have developed cutting-edge technology allowing single cell imaging in the largest species to date. Building on our 5 years’ experience, the Large Animal Core aims to transduce the cortex of swine with or without post-traumatic epilepsy with proteins that report intraneuronal concentrations of chloride and calcium, surgically implant and maintain imaging ports for the Microscopy Core allowing for serial, 2-photon imaging, and produce and archive video/electrographic data and collect and store tissues of swine with or without post-traumatic epilepsy. In particular, the Large Animal Core will provide surgeries (implant the ECoG, AAV injection, install the imaging ports, cortical impact, inject extracellular chloride dye, 2-photon imaging), record video ECoG with real-time analysis, collect tissues, animal husbandry procedures, regulatory compliance, and facilitation of swine housing resources. The Core Director and staff will participate in weekly meetings regarding administrative and scientific matters such as any problem solving any issues that arise, convulsion screening, and presentations of data.