Stereotaxic head restraint for chronic and semi-chronic marmoset and macaque monkeys.

A device allowing head holding and stereotaxic manipulations in both small-sized Marmoset and in relatively large Macaca monkeys is described. Its design permits free access to most targets in the visual system and optimizes presentation of visual stimuli in awake-chronic and anaesthetized semi-chronic preparations. Extra-aural attachments to temporal bone are implanted stereotaxically, under anaesthesia, on both sides of the skull. This provides means for stereotaxic head-holding which minimizes discomfort to the animal. Maintenance of stereotaxic precision over long periods of time, possibility of realignment and use of one device for various monkey species are special features of the method.