Neural and Vascular Dynamics after Cortical Photothrombotic Stroke in Non-human Primates

As the leading cause of brain injury, ischemic stroke has been the primary target of therapeutic development for decades. In this study, we took advantage of the non-human primate (NHP) photothrombotic stroke model previously established in our lab and investigated the impact of sensorimotor stroke in neurovascular coupling. We estimated neurovascular coupling by correlating changes in gamma band power, recorded via electrocorticography, with alterations in vascular architecture derived from blood flow images captured through optical coherence tomography angiography. We observed impaired neurovascular coupling in the non-lesioned areas of the ipsilesional sensorimotor cortex after stroke, in contrast to the high coupling measured in the contralesional hemisphere. This work demonstrates the impact of stroke on peri-lesional neurovascular coupling and helps us understand the contributing factors in stroke progression. With the established NHP stroke model and the hybrid neurovascular monitor system, we lay the foundation for future therapeutic development studies using NHP models.Clinical Relevance- This study demonstrated hyperactivity of neurons and impaired neurovascular coupling in the peri-lesional area as the result of surface ischemic stroke in nonhuman primate models. This study helps bridge the gap between rodent stroke models to clinical translation of new therapeutics with primate models.