Implantation of an EEG telemetric transmitter in the rat.

We describe a method of implanting a telemetric transmitter of EEG signals in the laboratory rat. The transmitter is available commercially and may be implanted in a subcutaneous pocket prepared in the hindermost dorsal region of the animal. The two stainless steel electrodes connected to the transmitter are led to the cranium through a subcutaneous tunnel, and are fixed to the cranium bones. EEG signals are collected by a receiver placed under the cage; reception of the signals is improved by suitably placed antennae. The method allows recording of EEG data from a free-moving rat during the expression of behavioral tasks in a limited space.