Stroke Modeling and Assessment in Mice Using Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Stroke Research
• Preclinical Models

Background:

• The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model causes extensive cortical damage, unlike human strokes.
• Internal carotid artery occlusion (ICAO) in mice offers a more clinically relevant model for mild to moderate ischemic stroke.
• Understanding epigenetic modifications is key to stroke-induced brain damage and recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish and validate a reliable and reproducible internal carotid artery occlusion (ICAO) mouse model.
• To investigate epigenetic modifications, specifically histone lysine methylation and demethylation, following ischemic stroke.
• To provide a valuable tool for studying stroke pathophysiology and evaluating therapeutic interventions.

Main Methods:

• Surgical induction of temporary internal carotid artery occlusion (90 min) followed by reperfusion in adult CD1 mice.
• Utilizing laser doppler perfusion imaging to assess blood flow changes.
• Conducting neurobehavioral assessments, including neurological deficit scoring and motor function tests.

Main Results:

• The ICAO model reliably induces mild to moderate, localized ischemic injury in the striatum and hippocampus.
• The model demonstrates reproducibility in inducing neural damage.
• Sex-specific differences in response to ICAO were noted.

Conclusions:

• The ICAO mouse model is a significant advancement for preclinical stroke research, accurately mimicking human stroke subtypes.
• This model facilitates the study of crucial epigenetic changes in stroke recovery.
• The ICAO model provides a robust platform for evaluating novel stroke therapies.