Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO) NHP Model Of Stoke & Brain Ischemia

explores the devastating impact of stroke, the benefits of using non-human primate models in research, and advancements in stroke treatment using the DSA-guided MCAO model.

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Product Introduction

Stroke is responsible for almost 6 million deaths annually, accounting for more than 10% of all mortalities, and the two-thirds of stroke survivors remain disabled. The symptoms of a stroke include face drooping on one side, arm weakness or the inability to raise one arm, and speech difficulties.

Ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke, occurring when blood ﬂow to the brain is severely interrupted by a thrombus or embolus occluding a cerebral artery, resulting in hypoxic-ischemic necrosis of the corresponding brain tissue and brain cell death. The interruption is often due to fatty deposits, blood clots, or other debris traveling through the bloodstream, frequently originating from the heart.

Ischemic stroke poses a serious threat to human health due to its high incidence, disability, and mortality rates. The impact of an ischemic stroke can be devastating, leading to significant long-term physical and cognitive impairments. Early recognition of symptoms and prompt medical intervention are crucial in minimizing the damage caused by an ischemic stroke and improving the chances of recovery for affected individuals.

Advantages of NHP disease model

Animal Models of Focal Cerebral Ischemia

To date, several reproducible animal models of permanent and transient focal cerebral ischemia have been established. In these models, a brain-supplying artery is occluded using mechanical devices such as sutures, clips, and hooks, pharmacological agents, or the delivery of blood clots. However, most of these models have been developed in rats and mice, which have significant genetic and epigenetic differences from humans.

-weighted MRI of brain from human, monkey, and rat

Superiority of NHP Brains in Stroke Models

Nonhuman primate (NHP) brains are gyrencephalic and exhibit structural and functional similarities to the human brain, particularly in cerebrovascular, neuroanatomical, and biomolecular aspects. Additionally, NHP brains have a substantial amount of white matter (WM), making them superior stroke models compared to rodents, which have relatively little WM.

NHP MCAO Model for Stroke Research

The NHP middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model, where the MCA or its branches are occluded by autologous blood clots of defined length and diameter, closely resembles the human brain in terms of cortical and subcortical anatomy. This makes the NHP MCAO model a better option for stroke research. Using this model allows for a comprehensive assessment of the progressive alterations in gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) following ischemic insult using MRI.