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Assessment of infarct volume in the mouse brain: correlation of magnetic resonance imaging with morphometry
E Weber1, P R Allegrini, D Sauer
1Experimental Pathology, Ciba Ltd., Basle, Switzerland.
Abstract:
In the mouse brain, focal necrotic lesion was induced by occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery. The volume of cerebral edema was quantified two days later by MRI in vivo. Histological examination after 2 to 3 months of survival revealed a loss of tissue in the affected brain hemisphere predominantly involving the cortex. The extent of brain atrophy as determined by morphometry correlated well with the volume of edema as measured by MRI. There was a cerebroprotective effect of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist MK 801 on the extent of brain damage as determined by both analytical methods.
Insights
Researchers studied brain damage in mice after middle cerebral artery occlusion. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histology showed that the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist MK 801 reduced brain atrophy and tissue loss.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cerebrovascular Research
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Focal cerebral ischemia, induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), is a leading cause of brain injury.
- Understanding the long-term consequences of ischemic stroke and potential neuroprotective strategies is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between early cerebral edema volume and long-term brain atrophy following MCAO in a mouse model.
- To evaluate the cerebroprotective efficacy of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist MK-801 in this model.
Main Methods:
- Induction of focal necrotic lesions via left middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice.
- Quantification of cerebral edema volume using in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at two days post-occlusion.
- Histological examination and morphometric analysis of brain atrophy after 2-3 months of survival.
Main Results:
- A significant correlation was observed between the volume of cerebral edema measured by MRI and the extent of brain atrophy determined by morphometry.
- Histological analysis revealed predominantly cortical tissue loss in the affected hemisphere.
- Treatment with MK-801 demonstrated a significant cerebroprotective effect, reducing the extent of brain damage.
Conclusions:
- Early-stage cerebral edema volume is a reliable predictor of long-term brain atrophy after ischemic stroke.
- MK-801 exhibits neuroprotective properties against ischemic brain injury, mitigating tissue loss and atrophy.