Biopharma Insights Various murine models of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) are widely used in experimental brain research. Here, we demonstrate the model of transcranial permanent distal MCAO which produces consistent cortical infarction of a size corresponding to damage imposed by the majority of human ischemic strokes.
Difficulty
advanced
Total time
~1.5-2 hours per mouse
Model organism
Mouse
Biosafety
BSL-1
Steps
1
Prepare mouse for surgery
Anesthetize the mouse and secure it in a stereotactic frame. Prepare the surgical site for the craniectomy.
▶ 01:38
2
Perform distal middle cerebral artery occlusion
Make a skin incision over the temporal area, perform a craniectomy to expose the distal MCA, and permanently coagulate the artery using bipolar forceps.
▶ 02:32
3
Evaluate motor function using cylinder test
Place the mouse in a glass cylinder and observe its exploratory movements to assess forelimb asymmetry indicative of motor impairment.
▶ 04:52
4
Measure brain infarction volume
After euthanasia, remove the brain, section it, and stain to visualize and quantify the infarct area.
▶ 05:45
5
Analyze mortality and infarct characterization
Review mortality rates, behavioral changes, and describe the characteristic distribution of the cortical infarction.
▶ 06:31
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