Functional Neurological Tests
Objective: To assess functional neurological outcome in rats following rhVEGF165 administration in a focal cerebral embolic ischemia model
This is a Functional Neurological Tests protocol using rat as the model organism. The procedure involves 7 procedural steps, 2 equipment items, 1 materials. Extracted from a 2000 paper published in Journal of Clinical Investigation.
Model and subjects
rat • Not specified • unknown • Not specified • Not specified
Study window
~98 hours hands-on
Core workflow
Induce focal cerebral embolic ischemia • Early postischemic administration of rhVEGF165 • Late postischemic administration of rhVEGF165
Primary readouts
- Functional neurological outcome/recovery
- Angiogenesis in ischemic penumbra
- Blood-brain barrier (BBB) leakage
- Hemorrhagic transformation
Key equipment and reagents
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Protocol Steps
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Induce focal cerebral embolic ischemia
Establish rat model of focal cerebral embolic ischemia
Note: This is the baseline condition for the study
View evidence from paper
“in a rat model of focal cerebral embolic ischemia”
Early postischemic administration of rhVEGF165
Administer rhVEGF165 to ischemic rats at 1 hour post-ischemia
Note: Early administration significantly increased BBB leakage, hemorrhagic transformation, and ischemic lesions
View evidence from paper
“early postischemic (1 hour) administration of rhVEGF 165 to ischemic rats significantly increased BBB leakage, hemorrhagic transformation, and ischemic lesions”
Late postischemic administration of rhVEGF165
Administer rhVEGF165 to ischemic rats at 48 hours post-ischemia
Note: Late administration enhanced angiogenesis in ischemic penumbra and significantly improved neurological recovery
View evidence from paper
“Late (48 hours) administration of rhVEGF 165 to the ischemic rats enhanced angiogenesis in the ischemic penumbra and significantly improved neurological recovery”
Perform functional neurological tests
Assess functional neurological outcome following rhVEGF165 administration
Note: Tests measure neurological deficits and recovery
View evidence from paper
“functional neurological tests, we measured the effects of administrating recombinant human VEGF 165”
Perform MRI imaging
Acquire MRI images to measure angiogenesis and BBB leakage in ischemic brain
Note: Imaging performed at timepoints corresponding to treatment administration
View evidence from paper
“Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), three-dimensional laser-scanning confocal microscope, and functional neurological tests, we measured the effects”
Perform confocal microscopy
Acquire three-dimensional laser-scanning confocal microscope images to visualize angiogenesis and BBB leakage
Note: Provides detailed visualization of microvascular changes
View evidence from paper
“Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), three-dimensional laser-scanning confocal microscope, and functional neurological tests, we measured the effects”
Assess contralateral hemisphere
Measure BBB leakage and cerebral plasma perfusion in contralateral (non-ischemic) hemisphere as control
Note: Administration of rhVEGF165 did not change BBB leakage and cerebral plasma perfusion in contralateral hemisphere
View evidence from paper
“Administration of rhVEGF 165 to ischemic rats did not change BBB leakage and cerebral plasma perfusion in the contralateral hemisphere”