In vivo bioluminescence imaging of vascular remodeling after stroke.

Thrombolysis remains the only beneficial therapy for ischemic stroke, but is restricted to a short therapeutic window following the infarct. Currently research is focusing on spontaneous regenerative processes during the sub-acute and chronic phase. Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, was observed in stroke patients, correlates with longer survival and positively affects the formation of new neurons.

High field BOLD response to forepaw stimulation in the mouse.

We have established a robust protocol for longitudinal fMRI in mice at high field MRI using a medetomidine anesthesia. Electrical forepaw stimulation in anesthetized animals is widely used to produce BOLD contrast in the primary somatosensory cortex. To preserve neuronal activity, most fMRI experiments used alpha-chloralose to produce sedation, but severe side effects make this procedure unsuitable for survival experiments.