An In Vivo Neurophysiological Model of Cortical Ischemia in the Rat

• Main Author: Srejic, Luka
• Other Authors: Hutchison, William D.
• Language: en_ca
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: Ischemia; In vivo; Rat; Cortex; Tat-NR2B9c; Microelectrodes; Potentials; 0317
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1807/17715

Spontaneous and evoked potentials (EPs) were recorded with cross-cortical microelectrode arrays following partial occlusion of the MCA and ACA in urethane-anaesthetised rats. The control group received no occlusion, while the treatment group was injected with anti-stroke peptide Tat-NR2B9c 5min before ischemia. Spontaneous EEG power significantly decreased in the stroke-only group when compared to controls (p<0.001). A greater loss of EEG power was observed on anterior electrodes closer to the occluded area versus posterior contacts in stroke-only rats (p<0.05). The Tat-NR2B9c+stroke group lost significantly less power when compared to stroke-only animals (p<0.05). EP amplitude in the stroke-only group was significantly reduced following ischemia when compared to control and Tat-NR2B9c+stroke animals (p<0.001). Epileptiform discharges were observed in 8/10 untreated stroke rats and 3/5 stroke rats treated with Tat-NR2B9c. The characteristic features of spontaneous and evoked potentials validate this rat focal stroke model for in vivo testing of pharmacological agents.