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.
Highlights
Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, and is a leading cause of long-term disability, with annual direct and indirect costs nearing 40 billion dollars [1]
We have previously demonstrated that a form of mild sensory stimulation, intermittent mechanical single-whisker stimulation, when delivered immediately after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion, completely protects rodent cortex from impending functional and structural ischemic stroke damage [7]
Blood flow imaging, behavioral assessment and histology, we demonstrate that in rats receiving a middle cerebral artery occlusion followed immediately by whisker stimulation (+0h subjects, meaning zero hours between time of occlusion and onset of stimulation), cortical function remains intact, blood flow stable, structure undamaged, and behavioral measures are normal compared to a sham-surgery control group, when assessed at 4 months post-permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO)
Summary
Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, and is a leading cause of long-term disability, with annual direct and indirect costs nearing 40 billion dollars [1]. The only FDA approved drug for ischemic stroke is recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA), which can only be given to certain subgroups of patients [4], if the patient quickly arrives at the hospital after the incident and suffers from an ischemic event [5,6], which comprises 87% of all strokes [1]. There is a need for a rapid and long-lasting treatment to protect from stroke damage
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