Inducing Ischemic Stroke via Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Using a Thread Bolt

Start with an anesthetized, immobilized rat with the dissected neck area exposing the arteries.

Locate the right common carotid artery or CCA, which bifurcates into the external carotid artery or ECA and the internal carotid artery or ICA, with branches into the middle cerebral artery or MCA.

Ligate the CCA tightly to reduce blood flow.

Next, tie a tight knot on the distal ECA to prevent blood backflow and a loose knot on the ICA.

Place another loose suture around the proximal ECA.

Make a small incision between the ECA knots and insert a thread bolt, a thin filament with a silicone tip.

Then, tighten the loose knot on the ECA to secure the thread bolt and cut the ECA.

Now, loosen the ICA knot and advance the thread bolt until it blocks the MCA.

This blockage restricts blood flow to the brain, inducing neuronal death and resulting in ischemic stroke.

Begin by placing an anesthetized rat on a surgical fixing table. Throughout the surgery, maintain the body temperature of the rats at 37 degrees Celsius in a small animal thermostat. Connect the mouth to the anesthesia machine mask and confirm deep anesthesia by lack of extremity tension, corneal reflexes, and pain.

Fix the rat's limbs