A middle cerebral artery occlusion technique for inducing post-stroke depression in rats

Ruslan Kuts, Israel Melamed, Honore N. Shiyntum, Dmitri Frank, Julia Grinshpun, Alexander Zlotnik, Evgeni Brotfain, Michael Dubilet, Dmitry Natanel, Matthew Boyko

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is the most recurrent of all psychiatric complications resulting from an ischemic stroke. A greater majority (about 60%) of all ischemic stroke patients suffer from PSD, a disorder considered to be an ischemic stroke-related precursor for increased death and degradation in health. The pathophysiology of PSD is still obscure. To study the mechanism of development and occurrence of PSD further, and to find out a therapy, we attempted to develop a new protocol that requires occluding the middle cerebral artery (MCA) via the internal carotid artery (ICA) in rats. This protocol describes a model of PSD induced in rats through the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Also used in the experiment are the Porsolt forced swim test and the sucrose preference test to confirm and evaluate the depressive mood of the rats under investigation. Rather than inserting the catheter through the external carotid artery (ECA), as stipulated for the original procedure, this MCAO technique has the monofilament passing directly through the ICA. This MCAO technique was developed a few years ago and leads to a reduction in mortality and variability. It is generally accepted that the criteria used are preferred in the selection of biological models. The data obtained with this protocol show that this model of MCAO could be a way of inducing PSD in rats and could potentially lead to the understanding of the pathophysiology and the future development of new drugs and other neuroprotective agents.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Visualized Experiments
Volume2019
Issue number147
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 May 2019

Keywords

  • Behavior
  • Brain edema
  • Infarct volume
  • Ischemic stroke
  • Issue 147
  • Middle cerebral artery occlusion
  • Porsolt forced swim test
  • Poststroke depression
  • Rat model
  • Sucrose preference test

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • General Chemical Engineering
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Immunology and Microbiology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A middle cerebral artery occlusion technique for inducing post-stroke depression in rats'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this