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Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Model of Neonatal Stroke in P10 Rats
Published on: April 21, 2017
Subcortical lesions after transient thread occlusion in the rat: T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging findings
Susanne Wegener1, Ralph Weber, Pedro Ramos-Cabrer
1Max-Planck-Institute for Neurological Research, Cologne, Germany. wegener@mpin-koeln.mpg.de
Purpose:
To investigate infarct evolution and functional consequences of exclusive subcortical or cortico-subcortical strokes, transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was conducted in Wistar rats.
Materials And Methods:
MCAO was induced in male Wistar rats (260-300 g) for 60 minutes. Lesion volumes and absolute T2 times on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were assessed 1 and 14 days after MCAO using a 4.7-T MRI animal scanner in conjunction with functional testing (adhesive tape removal, cylinder test, and ledged beam walking).
Results:
Functional test scores were not distinguishable between sham-operated animals (N = 5) and those with exclusive caudoputaminal infarct (N = 8; group cp), but showed significant deficits in animals with cortico-subcortical infarction (N = 10; group cp+). The cp group had lower absolute T2 times and a more pronounced reduction in T2 lesion volume over time than the subcortical component in the cp+ group. There was no correlation of T2 lesion size or absolute T2 times and functional impairment in either group.
Conclusion:
When judged from functional tests alone, subcortical ischemic lesions may not be diagnosed reliably. Furthermore, T2-weighted (T2-w) MRI does not well anticipate functional deficits in primarily striatal lesions.
Insights
Subcortical strokes showed no functional deficits in rats, but cortico-subcortical strokes did. T2-weighted MRI did not predict functional outcomes for striatal lesions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
- Stroke Research
Background:
- Stroke is a leading cause of disability.
- Understanding infarct evolution and functional consequences is crucial for effective treatment.
- Distinguishing between subcortical and cortico-subcortical lesions is important for prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate infarct evolution and functional consequences of exclusive subcortical versus cortico-subcortical strokes.
- To assess the utility of T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in predicting functional deficits.
Main Methods:
- Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was induced in Wistar rats.
- Lesion volumes and T2 times were assessed using 4.7-T MRI at 1 and 14 days post-MCAO.
- Functional testing included adhesive tape removal, cylinder test, and ledged beam walking.
Main Results:
- Animals with exclusive subcortical infarcts showed no significant functional deficits compared to controls.
- Animals with cortico-subcortical infarcts exhibited significant functional deficits.
- T2-weighted MRI did not correlate with functional impairment in striatal lesions.
Conclusions:
- Functional tests alone may not reliably diagnose subcortical ischemic lesions.
- T2-weighted MRI is not a reliable predictor of functional deficits in primarily striatal lesions.
- Further research is needed to accurately assess functional outcomes after subcortical strokes.
