The influence of gender on 'tissue at risk' in acute stroke: A diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging study in a rat model of focal cerebral ischaemia

Abstract

This is the first study to assess the influence of sex on the evolution of ischaemic injury and penumbra. Permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion was induced in male (n = 9) and female (n = 10) Sprague-Dawley rats. Diffusion-weighted imaging was acquired over 4 h and infarct determined from T 2 images at 24 h post-permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. Penumbra was determined retrospectively from serial apparent diffusion coefficient lesions and T 2 -defined infarct. Apparent diffusion coefficient lesion volume was significantly smaller in females from 0.5 to 4 h post permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion as was infarct volume. Penumbral volume, and its loss over time, was not significantly different despite the sex difference in acute and final lesion volumes.