Changes in ultrasonic vocalizations after unilateral cerebral ischemia in a rat stroke model

Stroke frequently results in communication impairments that negatively impact quality of life and overall recovery, yet the biological mechanisms underlying these changes are not well understood. Ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in rodent models of disease and aging have been used to improve our understanding of the biological mechanisms that underlie vocal deficits and their response to interventions. Changes in USVs after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in mice have been reported, yet rat models have significant anatomical and behavioral advantages over mice, including the ability to vocally train rats with an established paradigm. We sought to determine whether a unilateral MCAO rat stroke model provides a biologically and behaviorally relevant way to study post stroke vocalization deficits. We hypothesized that left MCAO would be associated with changes in USVs. Six weeks after MCAO or sham-control surgery, USVs were recorded in rats using an established mating paradigm. Stroke was associated with differences in USV acoustics including more frequent use of simple calls characterized by shorter durations and restricted bandwidths. These parameters were also found to correlate with post stroke lingual weakness. This is the first study to describe changes to rat USVs using a stroke model. These results suggest the unilateral MCAO rat stroke model is a biologically and behaviorally relevant model to understand how stroke affects vocal behaviors.