Visualization of a Cerebral Thrombus in a Mouse Using Micro-Computed Tomography Imaging

To image the thrombus by micro-computed tomography, at the appropriate experimental time point, dilute fibrin-targeted gold nanoparticles to a 10 milligrams per milliliter of 10 millimolar PBS concentration and sonicate the thrombus imaging agent for 30 minutes to ensure a homogeneous suspension of the nanoparticles.

Then, inject 300 microliters of the fibrin-targeted particles into the penile vein of the experimental animal. Transfer the animal to the bed of the micro-CT imager, and use a string attached to a pin to gently pull on the upper front teeth to straighten the neck. Five minutes after the gold nanoparticles have been injected, begin the imaging.