Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion
Objective: To induce focal cerebral ischemia via middle cerebral artery occlusion and measure the effects on infarct size, neurological function, neurogenesis, and angiogenesis, with and without VEGF treatment
Gather these items before starting the experiment. Check off items as you prepare.
Equipment1
not specified • not mentioned • not mentioned • not mentioned
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Protocol Steps
Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion
Induce focal cerebral ischemia by occluding the middle cerebral artery in adult rat brain
Note: This creates the stroke model for the experiment
View evidence from paper
“focal cerebral ischemia by middle cerebral artery occlusion for 90 minutes in the adult rat brain”
Reperfusion Period
Allow reperfusion to occur following the 90-minute occlusion period
Note: VEGF treatment administered during reperfusion phase
View evidence from paper
“intracerebroventricular administration of VEGF on days 1–3 of reperfusion”
VEGF Administration
Administer VEGF intracerebroventricularly to treatment group
Note: Treatment administered during early reperfusion phase
View evidence from paper
“intracerebroventricular administration of VEGF on days 1–3 of reperfusion”
BrdU Labeling
Apply BrdU labeling to identify and measure neuroproliferative zones
Note: Used to assess newborn neuron survival in dentate gyrus and subventricular zone
View evidence from paper
“BrdU labeling of neuroproliferative zones”
Vascular Profile Assessment
Measure vWF-immunoreactive vascular profiles to assess angiogenesis
Note: Assessed in striatal ischemic penumbra and dentate gyrus
View evidence from paper
“vWF-immunoreactive vascular profiles”
Infarct Size Measurement
Measure infarct size in brain tissue
Note: Primary outcome measure for neuroprotection
View evidence from paper
“measured infarct size, neurological function”
Neurological Function Assessment
Assess neurological performance of animals
Note: Behavioral outcome measure
View evidence from paper
“measured infarct size, neurological function”