Abstract WP250: Evaluating & Optimizing the Model of Thrombotic MCAO in Mice

Background: The embolic model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) by thrombus mimics the ischemic stroke in human and is amenable to thrombolytic therapies with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. However, this model has not been thoroughly investigated and standardized. The present study was performed to optimize this model in mice. Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice (8-10 week old) were subjected to MCAO induced by autologous or allogeneic thrombus measuring 5, 10, or 15 mm in length. Blood was placed in a tube (20μm diameter) with thrombin before injecting with sterile saline into internal carotid artery (ICA). Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was monitored by laser-Doppler or laser speckle before MCAO. Infarct was assessed by TTC staining 24 hours after MCAO. Neurological deficits were evaluated by modified neurological severity score (mNSS), rotarod test and corner test 1-7 days after ischemia. Results: Thrombus injection resulted in an abrupt drop of CBF to less than 30% of baseline in the MCA territo...