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Precision Stroke Animal Models: the Permanent MCAO Model Should Be the Primary Model, Not Transient MCAO

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Abstract

An argument for preclinical stroke research to make more use of the permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model, rather than transient MCAO, is presented. Despite STAIR recommending permanent MCAO as the primary model, preclinical stroke research has not been listened. In 2012, Hossmann reported that 64% of the treatment studies for MCAO used prompt transient MCAO models and only 36% of the studies used permanent MCAO or gradual transient MCAO (i.e., embolic stroke model). Then, in 2014 and 2015, 88% of published basic science studies on large vessel occlusion used the transient MCAO model. However, this model only represents 2.5–11.3% of large vessel stroke patients. Therefore, the transient MCAO model, which mimics stroke with reperfusion, does not accurately reflect the majority of clinical stroke cases. Thus, once again, the argument for studying permanent MCAO as a primary model is made and supported.

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Acknowledgements

Devin McBride was partially supported by the National Institutes of Health F32 Fellowship (1F32HL136193, DWM).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA

    Devin W. McBride & John H. Zhang

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA

    John H. Zhang

  3. Department of Anesthesiology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, 92350, USA

    John H. Zhang

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  1. Devin W. McBride
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Correspondence to John H. Zhang.

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McBride, D.W., Zhang, J.H. Precision Stroke Animal Models: the Permanent MCAO Model Should Be the Primary Model, Not Transient MCAO. Transl. Stroke Res. 8, 397–404 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12975-017-0554-2

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