Brain vasculature and induced ischemia in seizure-prone and non-seizure-prone gerbils

The relationship between seizure propensity and the vascular anatomy of the anterior cerebral arteries, or stroke induced by unilateral ligation of the common carotid artery, was investigated utilizing well differentiated colonies of seizure-prone (SP) and non-seizure-prone (NSP) gerbils. Twenty SP and 20 NSP gerbils were perfused with a latex dye and the vascular patterns of the anterior cerebral arteries (ACA) were analyzed. In addition, 30 SP and 30 NSP gerbils were subjected to unilateral ligation of the common carotid artery and the number developing stroke (determined by clinical observation as well as by microscopic examination of the brain) was recorded. We found that in all animals the ACAs formed a fused-central vessel which vascularized the olfactory bulbs, as well as two lateral vessels (rostral arteries) that vascularized a previously undescribed nasal plexus. Neither the vascular pattern of the ACA, nor the frequency of occurrence of stroke following unilateral ligation was related to seizure propensity.