Abstract
Hypertension and aging are leading risk factors for stroke and cognitive decline. Animal models fail to capture the complex interplay between these two pathophysiologic processes, limiting human translation of interventions. In the current study, we investigated the development of cognitive impairment in 18-month-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) prior to and following a 30-minute tMCAO or SHAM. Sixty SHRs were kept for 18 months with cognitive assessments performed prior to and post-surgery. Baseline brain MRI was done at 18 months and then at day 3 and week 8 post-surgery. At day 3, rats were randomly assigned to blindly receive either C21 or normal drinking water for 8 weeks. Results: Over 18 months, SHRs demonstrated a progressive cognitive decline and significant abnormalities on MRI. Aged SHRs demonstrated an acceptably low 14% peri-operative mortality within 72 hours of tMCAO. Stroke resulted in sustained, significant sensorimotor deficits and C21 effectively enhanced sensorimotor recovery at week 8. Progressive cognitive decline continued after surgery, but C21 enhanced post-stroke, subacute associative and reference memory at week 5. There was no evidence of anhedonia at 8 weeks. MRI scans revealed no difference in ischemic lesion resolution between C21 and control. However, C21 treated rats had less cortical atrophy and reduced WM injury at 8 weeks. Conclusions: Aged SHRs with minor stroke demonstrated persistent sensorimotor deficits, which were significantly lessened with C21. The dramatic decline in exploration time with age was ameliorated with C21 treatment, evidence of preserved cognition.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
