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Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Focal Cerebral Ischemia Model by Endovascular Suture Occlusion of the Middle Cerebral Artery in the Rat
Published on: February 5, 2011
Functional outcome in rats transferred to an enriched environment 15 days after focal brain ischemia
1Department of Neurology, Lund University Hospital, Sweden. barbro.johansson@neurol.lu.se
Background And Purpose:
The aim was to determine whether a delayed transfer to an enriched environment improves outcome after focal brain ischemia.
Methods:
Performance on a rotating pole, prehensile traction, limb placement, and postural reflexes were tested in 15 spontaneously hypertensive rats housed in standard laboratory cages for 2 weeks after middle cerebral artery ligation. Seven of the 15 rats were then transferred to an enriched environment, and the two groups were tested 1, 3, and 5 weeks later.
Results:
The enriched environment significantly improved pole performance, prehensile traction, and limb placement.
Conclusions:
Delayed postoperative environmental enrichment improves outcome in experimental stroke.
