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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Model of Neonatal Stroke in P10 Rats
Published on: April 21, 2017
Middle cerebral artery occlusion in Macaca fascicularis: acute and chronic stroke evolution
Helen E D'Arceuil1, Michael Duggan, Julian He
1Neuroradiology Section, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. helen@nmr.mgh.harvard.edu
Background:
An intravascular stroke model designed for magnetic resonance imaging was developed in Macaca fascicularis (M. fascicularis) to characterize serial stroke lesion evolution. This model produces a range of stroke lesion sizes which closely mimics human stroke evolution. This paper describes the care of animals undergoing this stroke procedure, the range of outcomes we experienced and the cause of mortality in this model.
Methods:
Anesthesia was induced with atropine and ketamine and maintained with isoflurane or propofol. Non-invasive blood pressure, oxygen saturation, heart rate, respiration rate, temperature and end tidal CO2 were monitored continuously. The stroke was created by occluding a distal branch of the middle cerebral artery. During catheter placement animals were heparinized and vasospasm was minimized using verapamil.
Results:
Anesthetic induction and maintenance were smooth. Animals with small strokes showed very rapid recovery, were able to ambulate and self-feed within 2 hours of recovery. Animals with strokes of >or=4% of the hemispheric volume required lengthy observation during recovery and parenteral nutrition. Large strokes resulted in significant brain edema, herniation and brainstem compression.
Conclusions:
Intracerebral hemorrhage and or subarachnoid hemorrhage coupled with a stroke of any size was acutely fatal. In the absence of an effective acute stroke therapy, the spectrum of outcomes seen in our primate model is very similar to that observed in human stroke patients.
Insights
A new primate stroke model mimics human stroke evolution, showing varied recovery based on lesion size. Hemorrhage coupled with stroke proved fatal, highlighting the need for acute stroke therapies.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Primate models
- Stroke research
Background:
- Developed a novel intravascular stroke model in Macaca fascicularis (M. fascicularis) for magnetic resonance imaging.
- This model accurately replicates the serial evolution of stroke lesions observed in human patients.
- The study details animal care, observed outcomes, and mortality causes within this primate stroke model.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize serial stroke lesion evolution using a magnetic resonance imaging-compatible intravascular stroke model in non-human primates.
- To assess the range of outcomes and mortality factors in this primate stroke model.
- To provide a preclinical platform for investigating stroke progression and potential therapies.
Main Methods:
- Anesthesia was induced and maintained using atropine, ketamine, isoflurane, or propofol, with continuous physiological monitoring.
- Stroke was induced by occluding a distal branch of the middle cerebral artery.
- Heparinization and verapamil administration were used to manage coagulation and minimize vasospasm during catheterization.
Main Results:
- Animals with small strokes (<4% hemispheric volume) exhibited rapid recovery, ambulating and self-feeding within 2 hours.
- Larger strokes (>4% hemispheric volume) necessitated extended recovery observation and parenteral nutrition due to significant brain edema, herniation, and brainstem compression.
- Intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage combined with stroke resulted in acute mortality.
Conclusions:
- The primate stroke model demonstrates a spectrum of outcomes comparable to human stroke patients in the absence of acute stroke therapies.
- Hemorrhagic complications significantly increase acute fatality risk in stroke models.
- This model serves as a valuable tool for studying stroke pathophysiology and evaluating therapeutic interventions.
