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Updated: Jul 23, 2026
A Versatile Murine Model of Subcortical White Matter Stroke for the Study of Axonal Degeneration and White Matter Neurobiology
Published on: March 17, 2016
Serial MRI, functional recovery, and long-term infarct maturation in a non-human primate model of stroke
J W B Marshall1, R M Ridley, H F Baker
1MRC Comparative Cognition Team, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EB, UK.
Abstract:
We have examined the effects of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) in marmoset monkeys over 5 months, using behavioural and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. Three marmosets were trained on behavioural tests before pMCAO. Shortly after surgery, these marmosets were scanned with T2-weighted (T2W) and diffusion-weighted (DW) MRI. Three, 10 and 20 weeks after surgery, these marmosets were re-tested on the behavioural tasks and had further MRI sessions to monitor lesion development. This was followed by histological analysis. All these marmosets had a persistent contralesional motor deficit and a spatial neglect which resolved over the 20 weeks of testing. Percentage infarct volume assessed by MRI on the day of surgery and at 20 weeks matched the percentage infarct volume measured histologically at 20 weeks. However, the apparent infarct size at 3 weeks was considerably less than that measured by histological analysis or that measured at the other MRI time points. Additional histological analysis of the brains of two further marmosets removed 3 weeks after pMCAO found considerable infiltration by lipid filled macrophages into the ischaemic zone which may have caused an MRI "fogging" effect leading to an apparent reduction in infarct volume.
Insights
Permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) in marmosets caused motor deficits and spatial neglect. MRI accurately measured infarct volume at 20 weeks, but underestimated it at 3 weeks due to macrophage infiltration.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Primate Models
- Stroke Research
Background:
- Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability.
- Animal models are crucial for understanding stroke pathophysiology and developing treatments.
- Marmoset monkeys offer a valuable non-human primate model for studying brain injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) in marmosets.
- To evaluate the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in tracking stroke lesion development.
- To correlate behavioral deficits with imaging and histological findings.
Main Methods:
- Permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) was induced in marmoset monkeys.
- Behavioral tests were conducted before and at multiple time points after pMCAO.
- Serial MRI scans (T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted) were performed to monitor lesion volume.
- Histological analysis was used for post-mortem assessment of infarct volume.
Main Results:
- Marmosets exhibited persistent motor deficits and initially resolved spatial neglect post-pMCAO.
- MRI-assessed infarct volumes at surgery and 20 weeks correlated well with histological findings.
- MRI underestimated infarct volume at 3 weeks, likely due to macrophage infiltration (MRI "fogging").
Conclusions:
- Marmosets develop persistent motor deficits and transient spatial neglect after pMCAO.
- MRI is a reliable tool for assessing chronic stroke lesion volume in marmosets.
- Early MRI underestimates infarct size due to inflammatory processes, requiring careful interpretation.
