Evaluation of focal cerebral ischemia in rats by magnetic resonance imaging and immunohistochemical analyses

Abstract

Correlation of focal ischemia-induced brain damage evidenced by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and by staining with microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) was studied in rats. Ischemia was produced by transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO). The damage was assessed at 6 to 8 hours after MCAO and 1 week later. The area of damage assessed by MRI agreed with that by MAP2 staining at 6 to 8 hours after MCAO, which was smaller (P < 0.001) than that defined by MAP2 staining 1 week after MCAO. Glial staining indicated that glial infiltration affected the signal intensity of MRI in the area of damage.