A mouse model for studying stroke induced impairments, recovery, and compensation in the motor cortex

Abstract

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and survivors suffer motor impairments. The rodent sensorimotor system is similar to the human's, making rodents a good model to study the effects of stroke. Transgenic technology makes the mouse a desirable stroke model, however, there are few behavioural tests to assess behavioural outcome. This thesis evaluates mice subjected to permanent or temporary occlusion focal motor cortex strokes in a skilled reaching task. The first experiment documents changes in skilled movements in mice with a permanent occlusion focal motor cortex stroke. The second experiment is identical but uses a temporary occlusion focal motor cortex stroke. The third experiment compares the two strokes. The results indicate permanent occlusion mice suffer great impairments, and a larger injury, than temporarily occluded animals. The mice with the largest insults were most impaired. Mice make an excellent behavioural and genetic model for studying motor system stroke.