Abstract

Stroke models in animals

Author(s): Kim Su

The disease of stroke is devastating and has a high mortality rate. Animal models are essential for investigating mechanisms and developing novel therapeutic regimens because they can replicate stroke processes. It is impossible to replicate every aspect of a human stroke in an animal model because stroke is a heterogeneous disease with complex pathophysiology. Each model has distinct advantages and disadvantages. The most common models used to simulate human ischemic stroke are transient or permanent Intraluminal Thread Occlusion (ITO) models, thromboembolic models, and Middle Cerebral Artery occlusion (MCAo) models. The endovascular filament occlusion model is good for studying the pathogenesis of focal ischemic stroke and reperfusion injury because it is easy to manipulate and can accurately control reperfusion. The embolic model is more convenient for investigating thrombolysis, despite its poor reproducibility. The most common animal model for stroke is the rat. The stroke models used in rats are mainly described in this review, along with their advantages and disadvantages.