Inducing Ischemia via Middle Cerebral and Common Carotid Artery Occlusion in a Rat Model

Begin with a restrained, anesthetized rat with a loosely sutured right common carotid artery, or CCA, in the neck region.

This CCA branches into the middle cerebral artery, or MCA, supplying oxygenated blood to the brain.

Reposition the rat laterally and make an incision between the right eye and ear.

Retract the skin and dissect the muscle to expose the skull. Position a saline dripper and aspirator for washing.

Drill over the skull and remove the bone flap. Next, cut the protective layer to expose the MCA.

Using diathermy forceps, apply heat to coagulate the right MCA at multiple points, then cut it at the vein crossing point.

Coagulation causes arterial occlusion, reducing oxygenated blood flow to the brain, induces ischemia, and leads to neuronal death.

Cover the exposed brain.

Re-expose the neck, then tightly ligate the right CCA. This prevents the permanent blood flow to the MCA and intensifies the ischemia.

Incise the skin at the midpoint between the right orbit and the external auditory canal. Next, blunt dissect the temporalis muscle to reveal the skull. Then, using up to five elastic 3 millimeter hook retractors, retract and pin the skin to the cork board. Then, place a t