A precision surgical approach for complete or partial callosotomy in the mouse.

The corpus callosum (CC) of mice was completely transsected with a thin tungsten knife using a three-cut approach through the dorsal cerebrum just lateral to midline. This method results in almost total transsection of the CC throughout its entire rostrocaudal extent. Advantages of this approach include minimal bleeding and extracallosal damage as well as the possibility of selective transsection of only anterior, middle, or posterior parts of the CC. The technique can be readily adapted to any other rodent species.