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Updated: Oct 11, 2025
Intraluminal Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion MCAO Model for Ischemic Stroke with Laser Doppler Flowmetry Guidance in Mice
Published on: May 8, 2011
Evaluation of crossed cerebellar diaschisis after cerebral infarction in MCAO rats based on DKI
Zhen Ma1, Xin Zhao1, Xiao Wang2
1Department of Medical Imaging, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
Objective:
To observe the expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), apoptosis and the effect on neurological function recovery in rat model with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) was used to evaluate crossed cerebellar diaschisis (CCD) and to provide experimental and theoretical basis for the clinical treatment.
Materials And Methods:
The MCAO models were established in rats. Eighty-four rats were randomly and evenly divided into 7 groups, including control group, 6-h group, 12-h group, 24-h group, 48-h group, 7-day group and 14-day group. The rats were scanned by MRI at the above time points. Then, rats were sacrificed for H&E staining, immunohistochemical staining and TUNEL staining to detect the expression of NMDA in the core infarct area and cerebellum. At the end, the discussion of relationships between molecular biology and MRI parameters (ADC derived from DWI, and MD, MK and FA derived from DKI) was performed.
Results:
The values of MD, ADC and FA in MCAO rats were all lower than those in the control group. All MRI parameters of the contralateral cerebellum were lower than those of the ipsilateral cerebellum (p < .05). The parameters reached the lowest value at 12 h, except that the MK reached the highest at 12 h. The expression of NMDA showed a fluctuation along time in the MCAO group. Overall, it is higher in the MCAO group than in the control group, reaching the maximum at 24 h (p < .05). At the same time, the expression of NMDA in the contralateral cerebellum was higher than in the ipsilateral cerebellum.
Conclusion:
It is found that NMDA and DKI of CCD have the same changing trend, which indicates that the intervention of NMDA receptor apoptosis may become a new target for the treatment of cerebral infarction, and MRI parameters can predict the occurrence and development of CCD.
Insights
This study shows that N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) expression and Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI) parameters for crossed cerebellar diaschisis (CCD) correlate in rats after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). These findings suggest NMDA receptor modulation as a potential therapeutic target for stroke.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Radiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats is a common model for ischemic stroke.
- Crossed cerebellar diaschisis (CCD) is a neurological condition that can occur after MCAO.
- N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors play a role in neuronal excitotoxicity and apoptosis following ischemic events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of NMDA and apoptosis in a rat MCAO model.
- To evaluate the utility of Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI) in assessing CCD.
- To establish a basis for clinical treatment strategies for cerebral infarction.
Main Methods:
- Establishment of MCAO rat models, divided into control and multiple time-point groups (6h to 14 days).
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) including Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) and DKI (measuring MD, MK, FA) at various time points.
- Histological analysis (H&E, immunohistochemistry, TUNEL staining) to assess NMDA expression and apoptosis in infarct core and cerebellum.
Main Results:
- Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI) parameters (MD, FA) and ADC values were reduced in MCAO rats compared to controls.
- Contralateral cerebellum MRI parameters were lower than ipsilateral, indicating CCD.
- NMDA expression increased over time in MCAO rats, peaking at 24 hours, and was higher in the contralateral cerebellum.
Conclusions:
- NMDA expression and DKI parameters for CCD exhibit similar temporal trends following MCAO.
- Targeting NMDA receptor-mediated apoptosis presents a potential therapeutic avenue for cerebral infarction.
- MRI parameters, particularly from DKI, can predict the occurrence and progression of CCD.
