Growing knowledge of the pathophysiology of human intracranial aneurysms (IA) has led to deeper understanding of the processes of IA growth and rupture. In past decades, research and therapeutic strategies have focused predominantly on lumen-oriented mechanical concepts to prevent or occlude blood flow into the aneurysm. However, further insights in recent years have revealed the fundamental role of biological characteristics in the diseased vessel wall, such as aneurysm wall degeneration, thrombus remodelling, growth capacity, and potential IA rupture. Furthermore, recent technical advances allow for improved visualisation techniques, such as vessel wall imaging or the measurement of flow dynamics, as well as molecular and genetic analyses on a microscopic level, or the use of novel materials for aneurysm treatments.

Preclinical experiments in animal models have contributed greatly towards our understanding of IA pathophysiology. Thereby, the development and use of an appropriate animal model is of utmost importance in order to study a clinical condition in a preclinical setting. In preclinical models, the slight modification of experimental parameters or outcome measurement techniques may greatly affect outcomes. As a result, the establishment of standardized protocols for planning, design, execution, and reporting is crucial to achieve reproducibility of the findings and to ensure clinical translation.

This collection aims to present currently used preclinical methodologies and outcome measurement techniques to study the pathophysiology of human IAs in preclinical models.