ABSTRACT
Animal models of stroke, like any other disease model, begin with an intervention and end with an endpoint. Changes in blood–brain barrier function, common in stroke models, contribute to changes in signaling molecules in the brain. Neurological and behavioral tests provide important tests of functional impairment. The broad range of these tests reflects the broad range of impairments seen in stroke models. Intracranial pressure is a concern following stroke. Monitoring Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF) during stroke surgery allows investigators to reduce experimental variation. A sample from a filament ischemic stroke experiment shows the CBF changes before middle cerebral artery occlusion, and after reperfusion. Stroke models can produce both decreases in temperature and increases in temperature. Hypothermia is also a concern in stroke models. As used in stroke studies, the tail suspension test is a measure of the lateralization of motor behavior. Behavioral scoring systems are a trade-off: Thorough exploration of behavior must be weighed against speed and ease of use.
