• Vladimir N Martinov and Arild Njå.
• Department of Physiology, Institute for Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Box 1103, Blindern, N-0317 Oslo, Norway.
• J. Neurosci. Methods. 2005 Feb 15;141(2):199-205.

AbstractTetrodotoxin (TTX) is a selective blocker of voltage-gated Na+ channels that is used to block action potentials in vitro and in vivo. Maintaining a sufficiently high local concentration of TTX in vivo to block conduction in a peripheral nerve is technically demanding and carries a risk of systemic toxicity. We report that slow diffusion of TTX out of a microcapsule (glass capillary) inserted beneath the epineurium of the sciatic nerve, with a loose cuff around the nerve, combines high blocking efficacy with low systemic toxicity in rats and mice. The local anaesthesia and motor paralysis was stable for at least 4-6 weeks. The conduction block was reversible and did not cause any obvious nerve injury. Low cost and simple surgical implementation make this new system an interesting alternative to existing long-term drug delivery methods.

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