Behavioural recovery correlated with MRI in a rat experimental stroke model.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize a necrotic lesion using MRI and motor recovery using behavioural methods.


METHODS
Stroke model based on two steps: (1) development of a lesion using MR-imaging parameters and (2) behavioural recovery.


METHODS
Seventy male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. A focal lesion of the right sensorimotor cortex was induced photochemically.


RESULTS
The maximum volume of oedema and the lesion damage was reached by approximately 6 hours. In the lesion area, the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) increased from 6 hours, then decreased from 24 hours. All animals spontaneously recovered motor function by day 10, despite the continued presence of the cortical lesion.


CONCLUSIONS
The results show that this model mimics a core lesion, as well as the late phase in a human stroke episode. This model might be used for longitudinal study of the basic mechanisms of motor recovery.
Abo
Masahiro
M
Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. abo-jik@umin.ac.jp
Yamauchi
Hideki
H
Chen
Zengguang
Z
Yonemoto
Kyozo
K
Miyano
Satoshi
S
Bjelke
Börje
B
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D009043:Motor Activity; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020521:Stroke / Q000473:pathology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013995:Time