The Effect of Pro-Neurogenic Gene Expression on Adult Subventricular Zone Precursor Cell Recruitment and Fate Determination After Excitotoxic Brain Injury.

Despite the presence of on-going neurogenesis in the adult mammalian brain, neurons are generally not replaced after injury. Using a rodent model of excitotoxic cell loss and retroviral (RV) lineage tracing, we previously demonstrated transient recruitment of precursor cells from the subventricular zone (SVZ) into the lesioned striatum. In the current study we determined that these cells included migratory neuroblasts and oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPC), with the predominant response from glial cells.

L-NIO as a novel mechanism for inducing focal cerebral ischemia in the adult rat brain.

Background: Ischemic stroke is the most frequent cause of persistent neurological disability in Western societies. New treatment strategies are required and effective in vivo models are crucial to their development.

New Method: The current study establishes a novel in vivo rat model of focal striatal ischemia using the vasoconstrictive agent N5-(1-iminoethyl)-L-ornithine (L-NIO).