Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
Evaluating Cell Death Signaling by Immunofluorescence in a Rat Model of Ischemic Stroke
Published on: January 3, 2025
Ischemic stroke in mice and rats
Aysan Durukan1, Turgut Tatlisumak
1Department of Neurology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
Abstract:
Ischemic stroke occurs most often in the territory of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in humans. Since its description in rats more than two decades ago, the minimally invasive intraluminal suture occlusion of MCA is an increasingly used model of stroke in both rats and mice due to its ease of inducing ischemia and achieving reperfusion under well-controlled conditions. This method can be used under the guidance of laser-Doppler flowmetry to ascertain the magnitude of occlusion or reperfusion and to decrease the rate of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Ninety minutes of transient ischemia in the territory of MCA results in substantial and reproducible ischemic lesions in both the striatum and the cortex, with characteristics of lesion core and penumbra. Thus, this model is applicable to neuroprotective drug studies, including ischemic brain lesion evaluation (either in vivo with magnetic resonance imaging or post-mortem with brain tissue staining) and neurological status (motor deficits simply assessed by a six-point neurological score scale) as outcome parameters.
Insights
The middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion model in rodents is a reliable method for studying ischemic stroke. This technique allows for controlled induction of ischemia and reperfusion, aiding neuroprotective drug development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cerebrovascular Research
- Ischemic Stroke Models
Background:
- Ischemic stroke frequently affects the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory in humans.
- The intraluminal suture occlusion of the MCA in rodents is a widely adopted stroke model.
- This model offers controlled induction of ischemia and reperfusion, crucial for research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the application and benefits of the intraluminal MCA occlusion model in rodents.
- To highlight its utility in evaluating neuroprotective agents for ischemic stroke.
- To describe outcome measures for assessing treatment efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Minimally invasive intraluminal suture occlusion of the MCA in rats and mice.
- Guidance using laser-Doppler flowmetry for precise occlusion/reperfusion control.
- Induction of 90 minutes of transient focal cerebral ischemia.
Main Results:
- The MCA occlusion model reliably induces ischemic lesions in the striatum and cortex.
- Lesions exhibit characteristics of both ischemic core and penumbra.
- Reproducible outcomes facilitate lesion and neurological deficit assessment.
Conclusions:
- The intraluminal MCA occlusion model is highly suitable for preclinical studies of neuroprotective drugs.
- It enables robust evaluation of ischemic brain injury and neurological function.
- This model supports the development of effective stroke therapies.
More Related Videos
13:50Focal Cerebral Ischemia Model by Endovascular Suture Occlusion of the Middle Cerebral Artery in the Rat
Published on: February 5, 2011
09:08Induction of Ischemic Stroke and Ischemia-reperfusion in Mice Using the Middle Artery Occlusion Technique and Visualization of Infarct Area
Published on: February 2, 2017