Focal Cerebral Ischemia in the Mouse and Rat Using the Intraluminal SutureFilament Model

Filamentous occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) is probably the most frequently used model in experimental stroke research. It results in reproducible lesions in the cortex and striatum and can be used to induce both permanent and transient MCAO. It allows for the study of both acute stroke treatment as well as interventions that target stroke recovery. This chapter gives a practical “hands-on” approach for performing this model in mice and rats.