A 6-step Approach to Gain Higher Quality Results From Organotypic Hippocampal Brain Slices in a Traumatic Brain Injury Model

Introduction: Organotypic Hippocampal Brain Slices (OHBS) provide an advantageous alternative to in vivo models to scrutinize Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). We followed a well-established TBI protocol, but noticed that several factors may influence the results in such a set-up. Here, we describe a structured approach to generate more comparable results and discuss why specific eligibility criteria should be applied. Methods: We defined necessary checkpoints and developed inclusion and exclusion criteria that take the observed variation in such a model into consideration. Objective measures include the identification and exclusion of pre-damaged slices and outliers. Six steps were outlined in this study. Results: A six-step approach to enhance comparability is proposed and summarized in a flowchart. We applied the suggested measures to data derived from our TBI-experiments examining the impact of three different interventions in 1459 OHBS. Our exemplary results show that through equal requirements set for all slices more precise findings are ensured. Conclusion: Results in a TBI experiment on OHBS should be analyzed critically as inhomogeneities may occur. In other words, in order to ensure more precise findings, a structured approach of comparing the results should be followed. Further research is recommended to confirm and further develop this framework.