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 a better alternative to in vivo models to scrutinize traumatic brain injury (tbi). we followed a well-established tbi protocol but noticed that several factors might 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 took into consideration the observed variation in such a model. objective measures include the identification and exclusion of pre-damaged slices and outliers. in this study, six steps were outlined. 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 more precise findings are ensured through equal requirements set for all slices. conclusion: results in a tbi experiment on ohbs should be critically analyzed as inhomogeneity may occur. in other words, a structured approach to comparing the results should be followed to ensure achieving more precise findings. further research is recommended to confirm and further develop this framework