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PET and MR studies of experimental focal stroke
A L Brownell1, M Kano, R C McKinstry
1Physics Research Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
Abstract:
Positron emission tomography (PET) and MR have been compared with histochemical pathology to show affected tissue areas in rat brain after right middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion combined with temporary bilateral common carotid artery occlusion in Long Evans rats. The glucose metabolic rate was 65 +/- 8 mumol/100 ml/min in the right cortical gray matter corresponding to the occluded middle cerebral artery territory and 93 +/- 8 mumol/100 ml/min in the corresponding (left) normal side. Infarcted tissue showed decreased PET activity and increased signal in MR T2-weighted scans ipsilateral to the MCA occlusion. These regions correspond to a zone of focal infarction identified in coronal tissue sections stained with 3-4-5 triphenyl tetrazolium chloride. This study demonstrates that PET can be used to study glucose utilization in rat stroke model in vivo and noninvasively.
Insights
Positron emission tomography (PET) and MR imaging effectively identified stroke-induced brain tissue damage in a rat model. This study highlights PET
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
- Stroke Research
Background:
- Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability.
- Accurate assessment of brain tissue damage is crucial for stroke research.
- Rodent models are vital for understanding stroke pathophysiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging with histopathology in a rat stroke model.
- To evaluate glucose metabolic rate changes in affected brain regions.
- To demonstrate the utility of in vivo, noninvasive imaging techniques for stroke research.
Main Methods:
- Induction of stroke via middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion in Long Evans rats.
- Assessment of glucose metabolic rate using Positron Emission Tomography (PET).
- Magnetic Resonance (MR) T2-weighted imaging and histochemical staining (3-4-5 triphenyl tetrazolium chloride) for tissue damage confirmation.
Main Results:
- Decreased glucose metabolic rate (65 +/- 8 mumol/100 ml/min) in the infarcted right cortical gray matter compared to the normal left side (93 +/- 8 mumol/100 ml/min).
- PET showed decreased activity, while MR T2-weighted scans revealed increased signal in infarcted areas.
- Imaging findings correlated with histochemically identified focal infarction zones.
Conclusions:
- PET imaging can accurately assess glucose utilization in a rat stroke model in vivo.
- Combined PET and MR imaging provide a comprehensive, noninvasive method for characterizing stroke-induced brain injury.
- These techniques offer valuable tools for preclinical stroke research and therapeutic development.