A model for chronic spinal cord compression in cats.

An experimental technique of chronic spinal compression combined with chronic implantation of cortical and spinal electrodes for the measurement of evoked potentials in cats is presented. This technique has the advantages of 1) requiring only a relatively simple dorsal access, 2) being applicable to the entire spinal cord, 3) permitting simple external control of compression speed and duration, and 4) allowing unhindered observation of motor behaviour in the unrestricted animal.