BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Investigating focal cerebral ischemia requires animal models that are relevant to human stroke. Complications and side effects are common among these models. The present study describes potential pitfalls in 3 techniques for middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). METHODS: Rats were subjected to temporary MCAO for 90 minutes using the suture technique (group I; n=10) or to permanent MCAO using the suture technique (group II; n=10) or the macrosphere technique (group III; n=10). Clinical evaluation was performed after 3 hours and 24 hours. After 24 hours, animals underwent MRI and MRA to determine lesion size and the intracranial vascular status. RESULTS: Hemispheric lesion volume was significantly smaller in group I (14.6%) compared with groups II (35.2%; P<0.01) and III (21.3%; P<0.05). Two animals (1 each in group II and III) did not demonstrate neurological deficits and had no lesion on MRI and a patent MCA main stem on MRA. Subarachnoid hemorrhage was detected in 2 animals (1 each in group I and II). MRA indicated a patent MCA main stem in 2 animals (group II), although both rats displayed neurological deficits. Hypothalamic infarction with subsequent pathological hyperthermia was detected in all animals in group II and in 1 rat in group III. CONCLUSIONS: Model failures occurred frequently in all groups. MRI and MRA helps to identify animals that need to be excluded from experimental stroke studies.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Investigating focal cerebral ischemia requires animal models that are relevant to humanstroke. Complications and side effects are common among these models. The present study describes potential pitfalls in 3 techniques for middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). METHODS:Rats were subjected to temporary MCAO for 90 minutes using the suture technique (group I; n=10) or to permanent MCAO using the suture technique (group II; n=10) or the macrosphere technique (group III; n=10). Clinical evaluation was performed after 3 hours and 24 hours. After 24 hours, animals underwent MRI and MRA to determine lesion size and the intracranial vascular status. RESULTS: Hemispheric lesion volume was significantly smaller in group I (14.6%) compared with groups II (35.2%; P<0.01) and III (21.3%; P<0.05). Two animals (1 each in group II and III) did not demonstrate neurological deficits and had no lesion on MRI and a patent MCA main stem on MRA. Subarachnoid hemorrhage was detected in 2 animals (1 each in group I and II). MRA indicated a patent MCA main stem in 2 animals (group II), although both rats displayed neurological deficits. Hypothalamic infarction with subsequent pathological hyperthermia was detected in all animals in group II and in 1 rat in group III. CONCLUSIONS: Model failures occurred frequently in all groups. MRI and MRA helps to identify animals that need to be excluded from experimental stroke studies.
Authors: Ilya L Gubskiy; Daria D Namestnikova; Elvira A Cherkashova; Vladimir P Chekhonin; Vladimir P Baklaushev; Leonid V Gubsky; Konstantin N Yarygin Journal: Transl Stroke Res Date: 2017-11-25 Impact factor: 6.829
Authors: C Bleilevens; A B Roehl; A Goetzenich; N Zoremba; M Kipp; J Dang; R Tolba; R Rossaint; M Hein Journal: Exp Brain Res Date: 2012-10-13 Impact factor: 1.972
Authors: Jesper Kelsen; Marianne H Larsen; Jens Christian Sørensen; Arne Møller; Jørgen Frøkiaer; Søren Nielsen; Jens R Nyengaard; Jens D Mikkelsen; Lars Christian B Rønn Journal: Exp Transl Stroke Med Date: 2010-04-06
Authors: Alexander Claus Langheinrich; Mesut Yeniguen; Anne Ostendorf; Simone Marhoffer; Christian Dierkes; Susanne von Gerlach; Max Nedelmann; Marian Kampschulte; Georg Bachmann; Erwin Stolz; Tibo Gerriets Journal: Neuroradiology Date: 2009-11-18 Impact factor: 2.804