Mouse Preparation for Cranial Nerve VIII Exposure

Details of our mouse preparation were previously published (Schneider et al., 2021 (link)). Briefly, mice were deeply anesthetized with (IP) urethane (1.6 g/kg) and xylazine (20 mg/kg). Heart rate was continuously monitored using a 3-lead EKG and body temperature (∼36.5-37.5°C) was maintained using a homeothermic monitoring system (Harvard Apparatus). A tracheostomy was performed for intubation and mechanical ventilation at a rate of 100 bpm (model 683, Harvard Apparatus). After the head was secured in a stereotaxic frame (Stoelting), a posterior craniotomy and cerebellar aspiration were performed to expose cranial nerve VIII on the right side just before it enters the otic capsule and/or the floor of the 4th ventricle.