Behavioral testing in rodent models of stroke, Part I

Abstract

For the past decades, experimental intervention showed therapeutic promise in animal models of stroke has largely failed to produce benefi cial effects in human stroke patients. The diffi culty in translating preclinical fi ndings represents a major challenge in cerebrovascular research. The reasons for this translational road block might be explained by a number of factors, including poor quality control in various stages of the research process, insuffi cient experimental power, the validity of experimental stroke model, and the different choices of end point or outcome measures. In this chapter, we present, next to general introduction to behavioral research in rodents, some widely used and reliable behavioral tests by which various sensory, motoric, cognitive, and psychological impairments in rodent stroke models can be assessed. Each test is described in detail and important protocol keypoints for successful testing in rodent stroke models are included.