Open AccessSix‐Month Ischemic Mice Show Sensorimotor and Cognitive Deficits Associated with Brain Atrophy and Axonal Disorganization
Author(s) -
Zanier Elisa R.,
Pischiutta Francesca,
Villa Pia,
Paladini Alessandra,
Montinaro Mery,
Micotti Edoardo,
Orrù Alessandro,
Cervo Luigi,
Simoni Maria Grazia
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
cns neuroscience and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1755-5949
pISSN - 1755-5930
DOI - 10.1111/cns.12128
Subject(s) - atrophy , psychology , internal capsule , diffusion mri , morris water navigation task , external capsule , neuroscience , brain damage , effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance , sham surgery , cognition , white matter , magnetic resonance imaging , pathology , medicine , radiology , alternative medicine
Summary Aims To identify long‐term sensorimotor and cognitive deficits and to evaluate structural alterations in brain ischemic mice. Methods C57Bl/6J male mice were subjected to 30 min transient middle cerebral artery occlusion ( tMCA o) or sham surgery. Sensorimotor deficits, exploratory behavior, and cognitive functions were evaluated up to 6 months. Cortical and subcortical damage were analyzed by MRI multiparameter analysis and histopathology. Results tMCA o mice showed significant sensorimotor deficits in the rotarod, negative geotaxis, neuroscore, and beam walk tests. They also showed impairment in exploratory behavior in the open field test and in spatial learning in the Morris water maze. T2‐weighted MRI revealed a volume reduction in injured brain areas at 12 and 24 weeks postinjury. Brain atrophy was shown by MRI and conventional postmortem analysis. Diffusion tensor imaging on the external capsule showed increased values of axial and radial diffusivity. Fiber tracking revealed a reduction in the number and length of ipsilateral fibers. Conclusions tMCA o in mice induces sensorimotor and cognitive impairments detectable at least up to 6 months postinjury, associated with brain atrophy, and axonal and myelin damage of the external capsule. These behavioral tests and anatomical investigations may represent important tools in translational studies in cerebral ischemia.