title: Neurological assessment scores in rabbit embolic stroke models.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neurological outcomes and behavioral assessments are widely used in animal models of stroke, but assessments in rabbit models are not fully validated. The wryneck model of neurological assessment scores (NAS) was compared to percent infarct volume (%IV) values (infarct volume is a proven clinical indicator of stroke severity) and arterial occlusion localization in three rabbit angiographic stroke models.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  NAS values will correlate with percent infarct volume values.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anesthetized New Zealand White rabbits (N=131, 4-5 kg) received internal carotid artery emboli by angiographic catheter introduced into the femoral artery and occlusions were characterized. Rabbits were evaluated at 24 hours post embolism using the NAS test of 0 (normal) to 10 (death). Deficit criteria included neck twist, righting reflex, extension reflex in hind paw and forepaw, and posture. Brain sections stained with triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) were analyzed for %IV. Volume of the infarct was measured and calculated as a percent of the total brain volume.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The aggregate correlation for NAS values vs. %IV values was R=0.61, p<0.0001, a strong positive relationship, while correlations of the NAS components ranged from R=0.28-0.46. Occlusionsof the posterior cerebral artery vs. the middle cerebral artery alone produced significantly greater deficit scores at p<0.0001.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These positive results validate the NAS system in the rabbit angiographic embolic stroke model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, 4301 West Markham Street, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205-7199, USA.
authors.forename: Aliza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Skinner
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hatton
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lowery
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roberson
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hennings
authors.forename: William C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Culp
keywords: Animal models; clots; microspheres; neurological evaluation; rabbits; strokes.