title: Sensory Stimulation-Based Complete Protection from Ischemic Stroke Remains Stable at 4 Months Post-Occlusion of MCA.
abstract: Previous research from our lab has shown that when using a rodent model of ischemic stroke (permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion), mild sensory stimulation, when delivered within two hours of ischemic onset, completely protects the cortex from impending ischemic stroke damage when assessed 24 hours post-occlusion. However, the long-term stability of this protection remains unclear. Using intrinsic signal optical imaging for assessment of cortical function, laser speckle imaging for assessment of blood flow, a battery of behavioral tests and cresyl violet for histological assessment, the present study examined whether this protection was long-lasting. When assessed 4 months post-occlusion (this length of time being equivalent to 10-15 years in humans), rats receiving sensory stimulation treatment immediately after ischemic onset exhibit normal neuronal and vascular function, and they are behaviorally and histologically equivalent to healthy controls (surgical shams). Thus, the complete neuroprotection due to cortical activation via sensory stimulation remains stable with time. These findings add support to the translational potential of this sensory stimulation-based treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, California, USA ; The Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, California, USA.
authors.forename: Aneeka M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hancock
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, California, USA ; The Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, California, USA ; The Center for Hearing Research, University of California, Irvine, California, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lay
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, California, USA ; The Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, California, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, California, USA ; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, California, USA ; The Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, California, USA ; The Center for Hearing Research, University of California, Irvine, California, USA.
authors.forename: Ron D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Frostig
keywords: Animal models; Brain recovery; Chronic; Imaging; Ischemia; Stroke