Assessing the Neuroprotective Effects of a Test Compound in a Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Mouse Model

Begin with anesthetized mice with sutures on the external carotid artery, or ECA, and internal carotid artery, or ICA, and a thin filament occluding the middle cerebral artery, or MCA.

Position a laser Doppler probe to measure the relative cerebral blood flow in the MCA. A decrease in blood flow confirms MCA occlusion.

Secure the filament in the ICA to maintain MCA occlusion.

This occlusion restricts oxygenated blood supply to the brain, leading to neuronal death and the formation of dead tissue or an infarct.

After the occlusion period, withdraw the filament to restore blood flow.

Suture the incision and allow the mice to recover.

Divide the mice into two groups and administer a test compound via oral gavage to the treated group, while the control group remains untreated.

The compound enters the circulation, reaches the brain, limits neuronal apoptosis, and inhibits further neuronal death compared to the untreated control group.

A smaller infarct in the treated group compared to the control group confirms the compound's neuroprotective effect.

To set up a mouse middle cerebral artery occlusion model, or MCAO, confirm a lack of response to tale stimulus in an anesthetized six-week-old, 22