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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Allowing Reperfusion via Common Carotid Artery Repair in Mice
Published on: January 23, 2019
Comparison of ischemic lesion evolution in embolic versus mechanical middle cerebral artery occlusion in Sprague
Nils Henninger1, Kenneth M Sicard, Karl F Schmidt
1Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01604, USA. Nils.Henninger@umassmed.edu
Background And Purpose:
Differences among models in the temporal evolution of ischemia after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats may considerably influence the results of experimental stroke research. Using diffusion and perfusion imaging, we compared the spatiotemporal evolution of ischemia in Sprague Dawley rats after permanent suture MCAO (sMCAO; n=8) and embolic MCAO (eMCAO; n=8).
Methods:
Serial measurements of quantitative cerebral blood flow (CBF) and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were performed up to 180 minutes after MCAO. ADC and CBF values within 5 different brain regions were analyzed. ADC and CBF lesion volumes were calculated by using previously established viability thresholds and correlated with infarct volume defined by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining 24 hours after MCAO.
Results:
Compared with sMCAO animals, the threshold-derived CBF lesion volume was significantly larger in eMCAO at all time points (P<0.01), remained relatively constant over time, and was highly correlated with the 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride-defined infarct size. The ADC lesion volume did not differ between models at any time point. A diffusion/perfusion mismatch was present significantly longer in eMCAO animals (P<0.05), and these rats demonstrated larger absolute mismatch volumes that were statistically significant at 30, 60, and 90 minutes (P<0.05). In both models, CBF and ADC declines were highly correlated.
Conclusions:
This study demonstrated substantial differences in acute ischemic lesion evolution between the eMCAO and sMCAO models.
Insights
The embolic middle cerebral artery occlusion (eMCAO) model shows larger and longer-lasting ischemic areas compared to the suture MCAO (sMCAO) model in rats, impacting stroke research findings.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ischemic Stroke Research
- Animal Models of Stroke
Background:
- Experimental stroke research relies on animal models to study ischemia.
- Differences in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) models can affect research outcomes.
- Understanding these differences is crucial for accurate interpretation of stroke studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the spatiotemporal evolution of ischemia between permanent suture MCAO (sMCAO) and embolic MCAO (eMCAO) in rats.
- To analyze diffusion and perfusion imaging in two distinct MCAO models.
- To assess the impact of MCAO model choice on acute ischemic lesion development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized diffusion and perfusion imaging in Sprague Dawley rats undergoing sMCAO or eMCAO.
- Performed serial measurements of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) up to 180 minutes post-MCAO.
- Calculated lesion volumes and diffusion/perfusion mismatch, correlating with 24-hour infarct volume.
Main Results:
- Embolic MCAO (eMCAO) exhibited significantly larger CBF lesion volumes than sMCAO, remaining constant over time.
- ADC lesion volumes did not differ between models, but diffusion/perfusion mismatch persisted longer in eMCAO.
- CBF and ADC declines were strongly correlated in both models, with eMCAO showing larger significant mismatch volumes.
Conclusions:
- Substantial differences exist in the acute ischemic lesion evolution between eMCAO and sMCAO rat models.
- The choice of MCAO model significantly influences the spatiotemporal characteristics of ischemic injury.
- These findings highlight the importance of model selection in stroke research.
