Handcrafted Silicone Coated Filament for Mice Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Models

As the global population ages, ischemic stroke has risen to become the second leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide, placing an immense burden on both society and families. Although treatments such as intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular interventions can substantially improve the outcomes for patients with acute ischemic stroke, only a small percentage of individuals benefit from these therapies. To advance our understanding of the disease and to discover more effective treatments, researchers are continuously developing and refining animal models. Among these, the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model stands out as the most commonly used model in cerebrovascular disease research. The filament used in this model is crucial for its development. This protocol outlines a method for creating filaments with consistent diameters and varying lengths of silicone coating. The MCAO model produced using this method in C57 mice has demonstrated high success and consistency, offering a valuable tool for tailored investigations into ischemic cerebrovascular diseases.