Post-reperfusion acute MR diffusion in stroke is a potential predictor for clinical outcome in rats

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Radiology
• Stroke Research

Background:

• Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) models exhibit significant outcome variability, complicating treatment effect evaluation.
• Early outcome predictors are crucial for prognostic accuracy and controlling variability in MCAO studies.
• Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) MRI is a key imaging technique in stroke research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the predictive potential of ADC MRI data acquired during MCAO versus shortly after reperfusion for acute-phase outcome prediction.
• To assess the utility of diffusion MRI in forecasting survival and neurological deficits in a rat MCAO model.

Main Methods:

• Fifty-nine male rats underwent a 45-minute MCAO.
• Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) MRI was performed during occlusion and at reperfusion.
• Outcomes were assessed by 21-day survival, 24-hour midline shift, and neurological scores.

Main Results:

• At reperfusion, the non-survival group exhibited larger lesion volumes and lower mean ADC compared to the survival group.
• ADC MRI performed soon after reperfusion showed significant associations with midline shift and neurological scores.
• Diffusion MRI post-reperfusion was a more effective predictor of outcomes than measurements during occlusion.

Conclusions:

• Diffusion MRI acquired shortly after reperfusion is a powerful tool for early outcome prediction in MCAO models.
• ADC MRI measurements at reperfusion can help manage outcome variability and improve prognostic accuracy.
• This imaging approach offers significant advantages over measurements taken during the occlusion phase for predicting stroke outcomes.