In vivo observation of dynamic changes in functional area of injured cerebral cortex in rats by optical intrinsic signal imaging

Abstract

Objective To observe dynamic changes in functional area of injured cerebral cortex in rats by using optical intrinsic signal imaging (OISI). Methods A total of 40 healthy male SD rats were used and randomly divided into two groups: normal group (n=20) and experimental group (n=20). No operation was done in rats of the normal group. The cerebral cortex of rats in the experimental group was injured by steel needle. Optical intrinsic signals were recorded in the exposed cortex of all rats with light illumination wave length of (546±10)nm and(605±10) nm, the mechanism of which was an-alyzed in combination with electronic microscopic observation. Results Compared with the data of nor-real group, the injured cortex after stimulating rats' leg had longer corresponding time and larger corre-sponding area. In addition, the peripheral vessels of the injuried area were dilatated, with wave crest of blood supply at a short interval. Conclusion When a certain injury occurs in cerebral cortex, the pe-ripheral tissues and blood supply play a compensative role in the injured area. Key words: Brain injuries; Optical imaging; Plasticity; Microcirculation; Compensation