Preclinical Intracranial Aneurysm Models: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Vascular Biology
• Preclinical Research

Background:

• Intracranial aneurysms (IA) involve weakened cerebral vessel walls, potentially causing rupture and subarachnoid hemorrhage.
• The precise mechanisms of IA formation and progression remain incompletely understood, necessitating robust preclinical investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and categorize existing animal models used for studying intracranial aneurysm (IA) pathobiology.
• To provide a comprehensive overview to guide researchers in selecting suitable IA models for their specific scientific questions.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of the PubMed database for preclinical studies on IA animal models.
• Article selection based on PRISMA guidelines and predefined eligibility criteria.
• Categorization of 123 included studies by animal species and aneurysm induction technique.

Main Results:

• Identified 20 distinct IA models across four species: rats (9), mice (5), rabbits (4), and dogs (2).
• Rat models were most prevalent (79 studies), followed by mice (31), rabbits (12), and dogs (2).
• Common induction methods included surgical ligation with induced hypertension and elastase-induced IA with hypertension.

Conclusions:

• This review offers a comprehensive summary of diverse IA animal models.
• It serves as a valuable reference for researchers to select optimal models and techniques for studying IA formation, growth, and rupture.