A rat model of photothrombotic capsular infarct with a marked motor deficit: a behavioral, histologic, and microPET study.
We present a new method for inducing a circumscribed subcortical capsular infarct (SCI), which imposes a persistent motor impairment in rats. Photothrombotic destruction of the internal capsule (IC) was conducted in Sprague Dawley rats (male; n=38). The motor performance of all animals was assessed using forelimb placing, forelimb use asymmetry, and the single pellet reaching test. On the basis of the degree of motor recovery, rats were subdivided into either the poor recovery group (PRG) or the moderate recovery group (MRG). Imaging assessment of the impact of SCI on brain metabolism was performed using 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]-fluoro-D-glucose ([(18)F]-FDG) microPET (positron emission tomography). Photothrombotic lesioning using low light energy selectively disrupted circumscribed capsular fibers. The MRG showed recovery of motor performance after 1 week, but the PRG showed a persistent motor impairment for >3 weeks. Damage to the posterior limb of the IC (PLIC) is more effective for producing a severe motor deficit. Analysis of PET data revealed decreased regional glucose metabolism in the ipsilesional motor and bilateral sensory cortex and increased metabolism in the contralesional motor cortex and bilateral hippocampus during the early recovery period after SCI. Behavioral, histologic, and functional imaging findings support the usefulness of this novel SCI rat model for investigating motor recovery.
Department of Medical System Engineering & School of Mechatronics, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
Hyung-Sun
HS
Kim
School of Information and Communication, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
Donghyeon
D
Kim
Department of Medical System Engineering & School of Mechatronics, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
Ra Gyung
RG
Kim
Department of Medical System Engineering & School of Mechatronics, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
Jin-Myung
JM
Kim
Department of Medical System Engineering & School of Mechatronics, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
Euiheon
E
Chung
Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill Center for Studies in Aging, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Pedro R
PR
Neto
Department of Pathology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
Min-Cheol
MC
Lee
1] Department of Medical System Engineering & School of Mechatronics, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, Republic of Korea [2] Department of Neurosurgery, Presbyterian Medical Center, Jeonju, Republic of Korea.
Hyoung-Ihl
HI
Kim
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D020520:Brain Infarction / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D020772:Internal Capsule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020767:Intracranial Thrombosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*
D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D005947:Glucose