Behavioral Recovery Assessment
Objective: Measurement of functional recovery and motor behavior following stroke and treatment interventions
Protocol Steps
Stroke induction
Induce ischemic stroke in animal model
Note: Stroke causes cell death but also birth and migration of new neurons within sites of ischemic damage
View evidence from paper
“Stroke causes cell death but also birth and migration of new neurons within sites of ischemic damage”
Neurogenesis induction and labeling
Use mitotic, genetic, and viral labeling to identify and track newly born neurons from the subventricular zone
Note: Stroke induces neurogenesis from GFAP-expressing progenitor cells
View evidence from paper
“Mitotic, genetic, and viral labeling and chemokine/growth factor gain- and loss-of-function studies show that stroke induces neurogenesis from a GFAP-expressing progenitor cell in the subventricular zone”
Monitor neuronal migration
Track migration of newly born neurons into peri-infarct cortex and their association with remodeling vasculature
Note: Newly born, immature neurons closely associate with the remodeling vasculature within a neurovascular niche
View evidence from paper
“migration of newly born neurons into a unique neurovascular niche in peri-infarct cortex. Within this neurovascular niche, newly born, immature neurons closely associate with the remodeling vasculature”
Growth factor gain-of-function studies
Administer SDF1 and Ang1 to promote neuroblast migration and assess behavioral recovery
Note: SDF1 and Ang1 are produced by vasculature and promote post-stroke recovery
View evidence from paper
“SDF1 and Ang1 promote post-stroke neuroblast migration and behavioral recovery”
Growth factor loss-of-function studies
Perform loss-of-function studies on SDF1 and Ang1 to establish causal links between angiogenesis and neurogenesis
Note: Establishes causal relationship between vascular production of factors and neurogenesis
View evidence from paper
“Neurogenesis and angiogenesis are causally linked through vascular production of stromal-derived factor 1 (SDF1) and angiopoietin 1 (Ang1)”
Behavioral recovery assessment
Measure functional recovery following stroke and treatment interventions
Note: Primary outcome measure for the study
View evidence from paper
“SDF1 and Ang1 promote post-stroke neuroblast migration and behavioral recovery”