Rat versus mouse models of focal cerebral ischemia for neural regeneration studies

Rat models of focal cerebral ischemia are usually used in neural regeneration studies regarding stroke. Rat and/or mouse models of focal cerebral ischemia established only by suture occlusion of the middle cerebral artery, without the need of craniotomy, can simulate middle cerebral artery thrombus or occlusion in humans. Then, what are the main differences and similarities in middle cerebral artery occlusion surgical methods in rats and mice?

Dr. Seunghoon Lee, Graduate School of Inje University, Korea performed a study and concluded that to develop standard and high-quality rodent models of stroke, several points should be taken in middle cerebral artery occlusion: (1) 0.40-0.45 mm outer diameter 4-0 monofilament nylon for rats and 0.15-0.18 mm outer diameter of 6-0 monofilament nylon for mice by heating or poly-L-lysine coating. (2)Thread insertion length: 18-20 mm for rats and 9-11 mm for mice. (3) Operation period: maximum of 15 minutes. (4) Occlusion period: 60 minutes. (5) Middle cerebral occlusion allows common carotid artery reperfusion for rats or bilateral common carotid artery occlusion for mice.

These findings were published in Neural Regeneration Research (Vol. 9, No. 7, 2014).

Provided by Neural Regeneration Research