What can cause a stroke in rats? - briefly
Ischemic strokes are induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion, embolic clot injection, or photothrombotic illumination; hemorrhagic strokes are produced by intracerebral collagenase infusion or autologous blood injection.
What can cause a stroke in rats? - in detail
Stroke induction in laboratory rodents relies on a variety of experimental approaches that replicate the pathophysiological mechanisms observed in human cerebrovascular accidents. The principal factors that precipitate cerebral ischemia in rats include:
- Mechanical obstruction of cerebral vessels – insertion of intraluminal filaments into the middle cerebral artery produces focal occlusion; permanent ligation of the carotid arteries creates global hypoperfusion.
- Embolic delivery – injection of autologous blood clots, microspheres, or polymer particles into the carotid circulation generates distal emboli that lodge in cortical branches.
- Photothrombotic activation – systemic administration of a photosensitive dye followed by targeted illumination induces rapid thrombus formation at the illuminated site.
- Endothelin‑1 microinjection – localized delivery of the vasoconstrictor peptide produces reversible or permanent constriction of specific cortical vessels.
- Hypertensive and metabolic comorbidities – chronic administration of deoxycorticosterone acetate, high‑salt diets, or streptozotocin induces hypertension or diabetes, which predispose to spontaneous infarction.
- Genetic modifications – knockout or transgenic lines lacking protective genes (e.g., eNOS, ApoE) exhibit heightened susceptibility to vascular occlusion.
- Aging – advanced‑age rats display reduced collateral circulation and impaired autoregulation, increasing the likelihood of ischemic events.
- Neurotoxic agents – exposure to excitotoxins such as kainic acid or NMDA, as well as oxidative stress inducers, can trigger vascular dysfunction and infarction.
Each model reproduces distinct aspects of stroke pathology, allowing researchers to select the method that aligns with the intended investigation of ischemic cascade, reperfusion injury, or therapeutic intervention. The choice of induction technique influences lesion size, location, and reproducibility, thereby shaping experimental outcomes.