Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 20, 2026
Modeling Stroke in Mice: Permanent Coagulation of the Distal Middle Cerebral Artery
Published on: July 31, 2014
Internal capsule stroke in the common marmoset
S Puentes1, T Kaido2, T Hanakawa3
1Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Neuroscience, 4-1-1 Ogawa-Higashi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan.
Abstract:
White matter (WM) impairment and motor deficit after stroke are directly related. However, WM injury mechanisms and their relation to motor disturbances are still poorly understood. In humans, the anterior choroidal artery (AChA) irrigates the internal capsule (IC), and stroke to this region can induce isolated motor impairment. The goal of this study was to analyze whether AChA occlusion can injure the IC in the marmoset monkey. The vascular distribution of the marmoset brain was examined by colored latex perfusion and revealed high resemblance to the human brain anatomy. Next, a new approach to electrocoagulate the AChA was developed and chronic experiments showed infarction compromising the IC on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning (day 4) and histology (day 11). Behavioral analysis was performed using a neurologic score previously developed and our own scoring method. Marmosets showed a decreased score that was still evident at day 10 after AChA electrocoagulation. We developed a new approach able to induce damage to the marmoset IC that may be useful for the detailed study of WM impairment and behavioral changes after stroke in the nonhuman primate.
Insights
Researchers developed a new method to study white matter stroke in marmosets. This approach models anterior choroidal artery occlusion, causing internal capsule damage and motor deficits, aiding stroke research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Stroke Research
- Primate Models
Background:
- White matter (WM) impairment is linked to motor deficits post-stroke.
- Mechanisms of WM injury and its relation to motor disturbances remain unclear.
- The anterior choroidal artery (AChA) supplies the internal capsule (IC), a region where stroke causes motor deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish an anterior choroidal artery (AChA) occlusion model in marmosets.
- To investigate if AChA occlusion causes internal capsule (IC) injury.
- To analyze the resulting motor deficits in nonhuman primates.
Main Methods:
- Marmoset brain vascular anatomy was examined using colored latex perfusion.
- A novel electrocoagulation technique was developed to occlude the AChA.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histology confirmed IC infarction.
- Behavioral analysis used established and novel scoring methods.
Main Results:
- Marmoset brain vasculature closely resembles human anatomy.
- AChA electrocoagulation successfully induced chronic infarction in the IC.
- Infarction was confirmed via MRI on day 4 and histology on day 11.
- Marmosets exhibited significant motor deficits evident up to day 10 post-procedure.
Conclusions:
- A new primate model for studying internal capsule (IC) white matter stroke was developed.
- This model allows for detailed investigation of WM injury and behavioral changes after stroke.
- The marmoset IC stroke model offers a valuable tool for preclinical stroke research.
