Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO) Model
Clinically relevant rodent MCAO models for ischemic stroke, neuroinflammation, reperfusion injury, and neuroprotective drug evaluation with reproducible infarct formation and comprehensive endpoint analysis.
- Background
- Platform
- Study Examples
- Features
- FAQ
Mechanism of Ischemic Stroke
An ischemic stroke takes place when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly cut off, starving the neurones of oxygen and glucose. The MCA is one of the most commonly affected vessels in human stroke and the MCAO model is widely used to mimic focal cerebral ischaemia and neurological injury in preclinical studies.
Following MCA occlusion, rapid ATP depletion disrupts neuronal ion balance and triggers glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity, leading to calcium overload and neuronal damage. As ischemia progresses, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during ischemia and reperfusion further amplify oxidative stress and tissue injury.
At the same time, activated microglia and infiltrated immune cells release pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β, which accelerate neuroinflammation and promote the enlargement of the infarcted area. The integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is impaired, leading to increased vascular permeability and cerebral oedema.
Fig. 1. Spatial and temporal relationships of the pathophysiology in ischemic stroke (Qin C, Yang S, et al., 2022).
Because the MCAO model closely mimics cerebral infarction, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, BBB disruption, and functional deficits observed in human ischemic stroke, it remains a gold-standard platform for neuroprotection and ischemia-reperfusion research.
MCAO Model Platform
Our MCAO platform utilizes the intraluminal filament technique to induce focal cerebral ischemia in mice and rats. A silicone-coated monofilament is inserted through the carotid artery and advanced to the origin of the middle cerebral artery, resulting in reproducible cerebral infarction and neurological deficits.
Unlike simplified stroke models, our platform is optimized for:
- Stable infarct localization
- Controlled ischemic duration
- High reproducibility
- Translational neuroprotection studies
- Ischemia-reperfusion injury evaluation
We provide customized study designs based on specific research objectives, including acute injury, chronic recovery, inflammatory response, and therapeutic efficacy assessment.
MCAO Experimental Workflow
Available MCAO Models
| Model Type | Description | Typical Applications |
| Transient MCAO (tMCAO) | Temporary MCA occlusion followed by reperfusion | Reperfusion injury, neuroprotection, anti-inflammatory therapy |
| Permanent MCAO (pMCAO) | Sustained MCA occlusion without reperfusion | Chronic ischemia, infarct progression, long-term neurological injury |
Endpoint Assessments
We provide comprehensive endpoint analyses commonly used for ischemic stroke validation and neuroprotective drug evaluation.
| Endpoint | Purpose |
| TTC Staining | Quantification of cerebral infarct volume |
| Neurological Scoring (Longa/mNSS) | Functional deficit assessment |
| H&E / Nissl Staining | Histopathological evaluation |
| Iba1 / GFAP Immunofluorescence | Neuroinflammation analysis |
| Evans Blue Assay | Blood-brain barrier permeability assessment |
| Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI) | Real-time cerebral blood flow monitoring for occlusion/reperfusion confirmation |
| Behavioral Testing (Rotarod / Grip Strength / Open Field) | Sensorimotor and functional recovery evaluation |
| Western blot / qPCR (TNF-α, IL-1β, etc.) | Molecular-level inflammatory and signaling pathway analysis |
Study Examples
TTC Infarct Volume Analysis
Fig. 2. In a transient MCAO rat model, CD40 antagonist administered at reperfusion significantly reduced infarct volume compared with vehicle controls, as demonstrated by TTC staining at 12 hours post-stroke. The MCAO model shows robust and reproducible ischemic brain injury, while treatment effectively attenuated brain damage and edema (J iang R H, Xu X Q, et al. 2018).
Neurological Deficit Assessment
Fig. 3. In the MCAO mouse model, immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated severe neuronal loss and glial activation in the ischemic core, which was significantly rescued by MSCs and further enhanced by MSCsHO-1 treatment (Yang Y, Liu Q, et al. 2024).
Why Choose Us
- We provide highly reproducible rodent MCAO models with standardized surgical procedures and comprehensive endpoint analysis.
- Our platform supports both transient and permanent ischemia studies for neuroprotection, reperfusion injury, and translational stroke research.
- Customized study designs and flexible evaluation endpoints are available to meet diverse preclinical research needs.
FAQ
What is the difference between transient and permanent MCAO models?
Transient MCAO includes reperfusion after temporary arterial occlusion and is primarily used for ischemia-reperfusion injury studies. Permanent MCAO maintains sustained arterial blockage and is commonly used for chronic infarction research.
How is cerebral blood flow monitored during MCAO surgery?
Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI) is used to monitor cerebral blood flow during filament occlusion and reperfusion. Compared with single-point Doppler measurement, LSCI provides real-time, full-field visualization of cortical blood flow distribution, allowing more precise confirmation of successful occlusion and reperfusion recovery.
Which behavioral tests are commonly used in MCAO studies?
Frequently used behavioral assessments include:
- Longa neurological score
- Modified neurological severity score (mNSS)
- Rotarod test
- Grip strength analysis
- Open field test
Which animal species are commonly used for MCAO studies?
MCAO models are most commonly established in mice and rats. Rat models are widely used for surgical consistency and infarct assessment, while mouse models are preferred for transgenic and mechanistic studies.
Is the MCAO model suitable for neuroprotective drug evaluation?
Yes. The MCAO model is one of the most widely accepted preclinical platforms for evaluating neuroprotective compounds, anti-inflammatory therapies, stem cell treatments, and BBB-targeting therapeutics.
Partner with Us for Advanced MCAO Stroke Research
Our experienced surgical team and comprehensive endpoint analysis platform support reliable, reproducible, and translationally relevant MCAO studies for ischemic stroke drug development.
References
- Qin C, Yang S, et al. Signaling pathways involved in ischemic stroke: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic interventions. Sig Transduct Target Ther. 2022. 7, 215.
- Jiang R H, Xu X Q, et al. The CD40/CD40L system regulates rat cerebral microvasculature after focal ischemia/reperfusion via the mTOR/S6K signaling pathway. Neurological Research, 2018. 40(9), 717–723.
- Yang Y, Liu Q, et al. Human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing HO-1 attenuate neural injury and enhance functional recovery by inhibiting inflammation in stroke mice. CNS Neurosci Ther. 2024. Feb;30(2):e14412.