Is decompressive craniectomy for malignant middle cerebral artery infarction of any worth?

Objective: Malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction is characterized by mortality rate of up to 80%. The aim of this study was to determine the value of decompressive craniectomy in patients presenting malignant MCA infarction compared with those receiving medical treatment alone. Methods: Patients with malignant MCA infarction treated in our hospital between January 1996 and March 2004 were included in this retrospective analysis. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)was used to assess neurological status on admission and at one week after surgery. All patients were followed up for assessment of functional outcome by the Barthel index (BI) and modified Rankin Scale (RS) at 3 months after infarction. Results: Ten out of 24patients underwent decompressive craniectomy. The mean interval between stroke onset and surgery was 62.10 h. The mortality was 10.0% compared with 64.2% in patients who received medical treatment alone (P<0.001). The mean NIHSS score before surgery was 26.0 and 15.4 after surgery (P<0.001). At follow up, patients who underwent surgery had significantly better outcome with mean BI of 53.3, RS of 3.3 as compared to only 16.0 and 4.60 in medically treated patients. Speech function also improved in patients with dominant hemispherical infarction. Conclusion: Decompressive craniectomy in patients with malignant MCA infarction improves both survival rates and functional outcomes compared with medical treatment alone. A randomized controlled trial is required to substantiate those findings.

Common carotid artery thrombosis and malignant middle cerebral artery infarction following ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome:A case report

BACKGROUND Arterial thrombosis is a serious and rare complication of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome(OHSS).Herein,we describe a case of OHSS complicated by common carotid artery thrombosis and malignant middle cerebral artery infarction after egg retrieval and before embryo transfer.CASE SUMMARY A 32-year-old female with a family history of thrombosis who was undergoing in vitro fertilization due to unexplained infertility,was admitted due to abdominal distension for 3 d and coma for 2 h.She received egg retrieval 7 d ago and embryo transfer had not yet been performed.Blood biochemical analysis showed estrogen of 15781 pmol/L.Gynecological examination showed palpable masses on both sides of the adnexal areas.Ultrasound observed enlarged ovaries and abdominal ascites.Imaging examination of the head and neck revealed fresh malignant middle cerebral artery infarction in the left side of brain and internal carotid artery as well as occlusion in the left carotid artery,internal carotid artery,and middle cerebral artery.The patient was finally diagnosed with severe OHSS,complicated by common carotid artery thrombosis and malignant middle cerebral artery infarction.Liquid replacement,anticoagulation,vascular endothelium protection,brain protection and decompressive craniectomy were carried out.Rehabilitation training was then performed for 6 mo.At present,she has poor speaking ability and decreased muscle strength on the right side.CONCLUSION There is a risk of thrombosis during any period of OHSS.During in vitro assisted reproduction,for cases with a family history of thrombosis,hyperlipidemia and other high-risk factors,serum lipid levels should be controlled as soon as possible to improve metabolic dysfunction.When thrombosis occurs,timely and effective treatment should be performed to improve the prognosis.

Mimicking aneurysm in a patient with chronic occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery

The chronic occlusion of intracranial arteries generally has no or mild clinical symptoms,and the clinical symptoms of acute cerebral artery occlusion are mostly manifested as severe cerebral infarction symptoms,which often make early diagnosis difficult,thus losing the best treatment opportunity.Once cerebral infarction occurs,the consequences are difficult to recover.This is also an important reason for the high misdiagnosis rate and mortality of this disease.In this paper,the characteristics of the disease were analyzed to provide clinical reference.

An experimental study of the biomechanics of the middle cerebral artery in acute cerebral infarction

Local cerebrovascular paralysis was found in most cases of cerebral infaction. The extent and severity of vascular paralysis and its effect on contraction-relaxation function of vessels were dependent on the developmental rapidity and duration of vascular

Apparent diffusion coefficient evaluation for secondary changes in the cerebellum of rats after middle cerebral artery occlusion

Supratentorial cerebral infarction can cause functional inhibition of remote regions such as the cerebellum, which may be relevant to diaschisis. This phenomenon is often analyzed using positron emission tomography and single photon emission CT. However, these methods are expensive and radioactive. Thus, the present study quantified the changes of infarction core and remote regions after unilateral middle cerebral artery occlusion using apparent diffusion coefficient values. Diffu- sion-weighted imaging showed that the area of infarction core gradually increased to involve the cerebral cortex with increasing infarction time. Diffusion weighted imaging signals were initially in- creased and then stabilized by 24 hours. With increasing infarction time, the apparent diffusion co- efficient value in the infarction core and remote bilateral cerebellum both gradually decreased, and then slightly increased 3-24 hours after infarction. Apparent diffusion coefficient values at remote regions （cerebellum） varied along with the change of supratentorial infarction core, suggesting that the phenomenon of diaschisis existed at the remote regions. Thus, apparent diffusion coefficient values and diffusion weighted imaging can be used to detect early diaschisis.

Occlusion of the middle cerebral artery Guidance by screen imaging using an EDA-H portable medium-soft electronic endoscope

The present study aimed to verify the practicability of performing screen-based surgical operations under the guidance of a real-time viewing and recording system （RTVRS） using a portable medium-soft electronic endoscope （pmsEE）. The middle cerebral artery in rats was occluded under screen-imaging guidance using a pmsEE RTVRS to reproduce an animal model of human cerebral infarction. The screen imaging of the pmsEE RTVRS was clear, life-like, stereoscopic and synchronous with the actual operation. Screen-imaging guidance led to an accurate, smooth, minimally invasive and comparatively easy surgical procedure. The surgical success rate, time of model establishment, neurological function scores, and infarct volume were similar to those using an operating microscope. These results indicate that the self-designed pmsEE RTVRS could be utilized for portable endoscopic screen-based surgical operations.

Therapeutic effects of different durations of acupuncture on rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion

Acupuncture is regarded as an effective therapy for cerebral ischemia. Different acupuncture ma- nipulations and durations may result in different therapeutic effects. In the present study, the Neig uan （PC6） acupoint of rats with occluded middle cerebral arteries was needled at a fixed frequency （3 Hz） with different durations, i.e., 5, 60 and 180 seconds under a twisting-rotating acupuncture method. Results showed that different durations of acupuncture had different therapeutic effects, with 60 seconds yielding a better therapeutic effect than the other two groups. This duration of treatment demonstrated rapid cerebral blood flow, encouraging recovery of neurological function, and small cerebral infarct volume. Experimental findings indicated that under 3 Hz frequency, the treatment of needling Neiguan for 60 seconds is effective for ischemic stroke.

Screen-imaging guidance using a modified portable video macroscope for middle cerebral artery occlusion

The use of operating microscopes is limited by the focal length.Surgeons using these instruments cannot simultaneously view and access the surgical field and must choose one or the other.The longer focal length （more than 1 000 mm） of an operating telescope permits a position away from the operating field,above the surgeon and out of the field of view.This gives the telescope an advantage over an operating microscope.We developed a telescopic system using screen-imaging guidance and a modified portable video macroscope constructed from a Computar MLH-10 × macro lens,a DFK-21AU04 USB CCD Camera and a Dell laptop computer as monitor screen.This system was used to establish a middle cerebral artery occlusion model in rats.Results showed that magnification of the modified portable video macroscope was appropriate （5-20 ×） even though the Computar MLH-10 × macro lens was placed 800 mm away from the operating field rather than at the specified working distance of 152.4 mm with a zoom of 1-40 ×.The screen-imaging telescopic technique was clear,life-like,stereoscopic and matched the actual operation.Screen-imaging guidance led to an accurate,smooth,minimally invasive and comparatively easy surgical procedure.Success rate of the model establishment evaluated by neurological function using the modified neurological score system was 74.07%.There was no significant difference in model establishment time,sensorimotor deficit and infarct volume percentage.Our findings indicate that the telescopic lens is effective in the screen surgical operation mode referred to as ＂long distance observation and short distance operation＂ and that screen-imaging guidance using an modified portable video macroscope can be utilized for the establishment of a middle cerebral artery occlusion model and micro-neurosurgery.

Bilateral cerebral infarction in diabetic ketoacidosis and bilateral internal carotid artery occlusion:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Diabetic ketoacidosis(DKA)is a serious complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM).Very rarely does DKA lead to cerebral edema,and it is even rarer for it to result in cerebral infarction.Bilateral internal carotid artery occlusion(BICAO)is also rare and can cause fatal stroke.Moreover,case reports about acute cerebral infarction throughout both internal carotid arteries with simultaneous BICAO are very scarce.In this study,we present a patient with BICAO,T1DM,hypertension,and hyperlipidemia,who had a catastrophic bilateral cerebral infarction after a DKA episode.We briefly introduce BICAO and the mechanisms by which DKA results in cerebral infarction.CASE SUMMARY A 41-year-old woman presented with ischemic stroke that took place 3 mo prior over the left corona radiata,bilateral frontal lobe,and parietal lobe with right hemiplegia and Broca’s aphasia.She had a history of hypertension for 5 years,hyperlipidemia for 4 years,hyperthyroidism for 3 years,and T1DM for 31 years.The first brain magnetic resonance imaging not only revealed the aforementioned ischemic lesions but also bilateral internal carotid artery occlusion.She was admitted to our ward for rehabilitation due to prior stroke sequalae.DKA took place on hospital day 2.On hospital day 6,she had a new massive infarction over the bilateral anterior cerebral artery and middle cerebral artery territory.After weeks of aggressive treatment,she remained in a coma and on mechanical ventilation due to respiratory failure.After discussion with her family,compassionate extubation was performed on hospital day 29 and she died.CONCLUSION DKA can lead to cerebral infarction due to several mechanisms.In people with existing BICAO and several stroke risk factors such as hypertension, T1DM,hyperlipidemia, DKA has the potential to cause more serious ischemic strokes.

Early postoperative infarction out of the middle cerebral artery distribution following superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery bypass： clinical features and pathogenesis

The extracranial-intracranial （EC-IC） bypass surgery has been widely used in the treatment of cerebral ischemia,intracranial aneurysms,and other diseases for more than 40 years.In terms of treating atherosclerotic cerebral ischemia,the surgery is presumed to be helpful for the subgroup of hemodynamic compromise in prevention of subsequent stroke.However,two multicenter trials presented with high perioperative stroke rate and failed to demonstrate the profit of the surgery.1-3 On this point,one of the crucial issues currently is how to lower down the perioperative stroke rate,the centerpiece of which is early postoperative infarction （EPI）.3

Correlating cognitive impairment with carotid atherosclerosis and carotid artery stenosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction

BACKGROUND：Studies have demonstrated that carotid atherosclerosis and carotid artery stenosis are closely associated with cognitive impairment in patients with and without clinically evident cerebrovascular disease. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the correlation between the degree of pathological changes in carotid atherosclerosis, carotid artery stenosis, and cognitive impairment in patients with acute cerebral infarction through the use of color Doppler imaging. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： The present concurrent, non-randomized, controlled experiment was performed at the Departments of Neurology and Ultrasound, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College between November 2006 and August 2007. PARTICIPANTS： Fifty-five patients with cerebral infarction, consisting of 35 males and 20 females, aged 50–82 years, were admitted to the hospital between November 2006 and August 2007 and recruited for this study. An additional 30 subjects consisting of 18 males and 12 females, aged 47–78 years, that concurrently received a health examination at the same hospital, were also included as normal controls. METHODS： Intima-media thickness （IMT）, plaque shape, size, and echo intensity of all subjects were detected by color Doppler flow imaging. Assessment criteria： IMT 〉 1.0 mm was considered to be intimal thickening, and IMT 〉 1.2 mm was determined to be formed atherosclerotic plaques. In the position of the largest plaque, the degree of carotid artery stenosis was determined by the following formula： （1-cross-sectional area of residual vascular luminal area/vascular cross-sectional area） × 100%. Less than 30% exhibited mild stenosis, 30%-40% moderate stenosis, and 〉 50% severe stenosis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： IMT and the degree of carotid artery stenosis were evaluated by color Doppler flow imaging. The Mini-Mental State Examination （MMSE）, as well as the clinical memory scale, was compared between patients with cerebral infarction and normal controls. RESULTS： In the cerebral infarction group, IMT was increased, the degree of carotid artery stenosis was aggravated, and the MMSE and MQ scores of clinical memory scale were decreased. In particular, orientation of time and place, attention, calculation, and short-time memory were decreased. There were statistically significant differences in MMSE and MQ of clinical memory scale between patients with cerebral infarction and normal controls （P 〈 0.01）. The scores from the two scales were significantly lower in patients with cerebral infarction with carotid plaque subgroup compared to the cerebral infarction with no carotid plaque subgroup （P 〈 0.01）. The scores from the two scales were also significantly lower in patients with IMT 〉 1.0 mm, as well as moderate and severe carotid artery stenosis, compared to patients with IMT ≤ 1.0 mm, and normal and mild stenosis group （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： More severe atherosclerotic and carotid artery stenosis leads to more obvious cognitive impairment.

Ginkgo biloba extract-761 improves the motor functions in permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion rats

OBJECTIVE To study the role of Ginkgo biloba extract-761(EGb-761)in the recovery of gait abnormality and its neuroprotective effect against the brain injury induced by permanent middle cerebral artery occlu-sion in rats.METHODS Male Sprague Dawley rats(n=200,240-305 g)were anesthetized with 0.2%pentobarbital sodium diluted in physiological saline(2.0 m L·kg-1,ip).Then a monofilament coated with poly-L-lysine,was used to occlude the origin of the middle cerebral artery.It was inserted into the internal carotid artery lumen until it met mild resistance,approximately 20mm beyond the common carotid artery bifurcation.The suture was secured with a ligature and maintained in place until sacrifice.The same surgical procedure was conducted in sham-operated rats in which the middle cerebral artery was not occluded.Motor and behavioral changes were assessed after surgery using a five point scale.The rats securing the point scale above 2 were included in the study.The rats were randomly divided into control,and treated groups:EGb-761(20,50,and 100 mg·kg-1).The treated groups were oral y administered(10 mL·kg-1)for 28 d.On 7th,14th,21st,and 28th day the neurological scores,rotar rod test and gait assessment(the automated computer-assisted method)were performed.The brains were collected for TTC staining and histopathological analysis.RESULTS 1)Weight:On 28th day,EGb-761(20 mg·kg-1,)significantly increased the weight of the rat by^8%as compared to control(~300 g).However,at 50 mg·kg-1,and 100 mg·kg-1,a significant increase of^7-7.6%(control:~232 g),and^7.3-7%,respectively from 14 to 28 days was noted.2)Neurological scores:On 28thday,EGb-761(20,50,and 100 mg·kg-1)significantly decreased the neurological scores by^18%,~22%,~21%,respectively as compared to control(~2.07).3)Rotar rod test:On 28thday,EGb-761(50,and100 mg·kg-1)significantly increased by^69.1%,~74.1%,respectively as compared to control(~28.2).4)Gait assessment:On 7th,14th,21st,and 28thday,EGb-761(20,50,and 100 m·kg-1)significantly reduced the average body angle,on 7th,14th,21st,and 28thday,EGb-761(100 mg·kg-1)significantly increased the walk speed and reduced the average walking cycle,EGb-761(50,and 100 mg·kg-1)significantly the area of the left brain/right brain area percentage and reduced tissue pathologic neuron injury.CONCLUSION Ginkgo biloba extract EGb-761 has obvious improve behavior disorders,and has a protective neuroprotective effect against the brain injury induced by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion.

Expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 mRNA and protein level of corpora striata in ischemic side at the early stage of middle cerebral artery ischemia/reperfusion in rhesus monkeys

BACKGROUND： Insulin-like growth factor-I（IGF-1）, as one of the important members of growth factor family, participants in the regulation of many physiological functions and behaviors, having very strong neuroprotective effect. However, the expression of IGF-1 following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion is still disputed. OBJECTIVE： To observe the expression of IGF-1 and protein of corpora striata in ischemic side at the early stage of middle cerebral artery ischemia/reperfusion in rhesus monkey. DESIGN ： A completely randomized grouping design, controlled animal experiment SETTING ： Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Qingdao University MATERIALS： ① Totally 17 rhesus monkeys , of either gender, aged 4 to 5 years, were enrolled . Seven rhesus monkeys observed with gene chip were randomly divided into 2 groups： sham operation group （n=3） and ischemia/reperfusion group 〈n=4〉. Ten rhesus monkeys observed with in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry method were randomly divided into 2 groups： sham operation group 〈n=3 〉and ischemia/reperfusion group （n=7）. Rhesus monkeys observed under microscope were divided into 2 groups： sham operation group （n=6） and ischamia/reperfusion group （n=-11）.②Materials used in the experiment： cresyl violet （Sigma Company, America）; immunohistochemical reagent kit （ Huamei Bio-engineering Company）; In situ hybridization reagent kit （Boshide Bio-engineering Co.Ltd, Wuhan）; 12 800 dots chip （Boxing Company, Shanghai）. METHODS ： This experiment was carried out at the Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Qingdao University from January 2001 to December 2003.① The onset area of middle cerebral artery was blocked for 2 hours, middle cerebral artery ischemia/reperfusion models were created.② After ischemia/reperfusion for 24 hours, cerebral tissue sections of rhesus monkeys were prepared and stained with cresyl violet. Image analysis was performed with 5001W image analysis software. Morphological change of corpora striata of operative side was observed in the rhesus monkeys between two groups. Total RNA was extracted from cerebral tissue. ③ Detection of gene chip： Cy3-duTP and Cy5-duTP were used to respectively perform reverse transcription labeling. The sample was reversely transcribed into cDNA, then hybridized with cDNA of cerebral tissue. Genes with the separate absolute value of cy3 and cy5〉800, cY3/cy5 〉 2（high expression） or 〈 0.5 （low expression） were found out. Those were genes with differential expression. ④ The expressions of IGF-1 mRNA and protein level of corpora striata in ischemic side of rhe- sus monkeys were detected between sham operation group and ischemia/reperfusion group at 9 and 24 hours after ischemia/reperfusion with in situ hybridization method and immunohistochemical method. Brown granules were IGF-1 protein positive cells. ⑤ Analysis of variance was used in the difference comparison of measurement data among groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES ： ① Change of morphological structure of corpora striata at ischemic side in rhesus monkeys. ② Change of cerebral gene expression profiles at ischemia/reperfusion in rhesus monkeys between two groups.③ Expression of IGF-1 mRNA and protein level of corpora striata at ischemia/reperfu- sion in rhesus monkeys between two groups. RESULTS ： ① Pathological change ： Obvious pathological change of cerebral infarction appeared in the ischemia and reperfusion group, while there was no such pathological change in the sham operation group.② Change of gene expression profile ： There were 4480 genes with difference expression in the ischemia/reperfusion group and sham-operation group, in which, 260 genes had high expression and their absolute value was over 800, and 63 genes had low expression, cy3/cy5 of IGF-1 was 0.379, being relative low ex- pression. ③ IGF-1 mRNA and protein positive cell counts in corpora striata at cerebral ischemic side[IGF-1 mRNA： 〈9.72±1.18）,（9.11 ±0.76）,（14.77±0.60） counts/field：lGF-1 protein： （15.11 ±1.83）,（15.39±0.78）, （34.62±0.97）counts/field, P 〈 0.05-0.01]. CONCLUSION： IGF-1 mRNA and protein are lowly expressed in middle cerebral artery of rhesus monkeys at ischemia/reperfusion.

Decompressive craniectomy for malignant middle cerebral artery infarctions: a meta-analysis

Background: Decompressive craniectomy (DC) has been the classical management for malignant middle cerebral artery infarctions (mMCAI) in clinical practice. However, the association between DC and mMCAI remains unclear. This review went to evaluate the efficacy of DC in treating mMCAI patients. Methods: Studies were entirely searched since the foundation dates of multiple databases to June 2016. All major databases were involved, including Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and other sources. the bias risk of studies involved were evaluated. Modified Rankin Scale was defined as Primary outcome, Odds Ratio and 95% confidence intervals was taken as measurements. T2 (tau-squared) test, I2 test, and chi-square tests were used for statistical heterogeneity evaluation for each meta-analysis result, followed by fixed-effect model. Mantel-haenszel method was used in the process of summary estimations. All of the meta-analysis was conducted by Review Manager 5.3.Results & Conclusion: One thousand one hundred forty-five records of data were critically identified and collected through databases and 14 studies were finally involved. Result suggested that DC can ameliorate the suboptimal outcome of mMCAI patients.

Evaluation value of CTA for vertebrobasilar artery stenosis in patients with posterior circulation cerebral infarction and its correlation with serum biochemical indexes

Objective: To study the evaluation value of CTA for vertebrobasilar artery stenosis in patients with posterior circulation cerebral infarction and its correlation with serum biochemical indexes. Methods: A total of 148 patients who were treated in Maanshan Shiqiye Hospital between June 2014 and February 2017 due to vertebrobasilar artery stenosis were selected as the research subjects and divided into cerebral infarction group and transient ischemic attack (TIA) group according to the imageological examination. CTA was used to evaluate vertebrobasilar atherosclerotic plaque properties, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to determine the levels of nerve injury markers, inflammatory response-related molecules and plaque property-related protease molecules. Results: The positive rate of posterior circulation plaque in cerebral infarction group was obviously higher than that in TIA group, and the positive rate of unstable plaque, fibrous plaque and calcified plaque were higher than those in TIA group;serum NSE, S100B, UCH-L1, GFAP, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, PECAM-1, VE-cadherin, YKL-40, CatS, MMP9, MMP10 and ADAMTS12 levels of cerebral infarction group of patients with unstable plaque, fibrous plaque and calcified plaque were all higher than those of TIA group;serum NSE, S100B, UCH-L1, GFAP, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, PECAM-1, VE-cadherin, YKL-40, CatS, MMP9, MMP10 and ADAMTS12 levels of cerebral infarction group of patients with unstable plaque and fibrous plaque were all higher than those of patients with calcified plaque, and serum NSE, S100B, UCH-L1, GFAP, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, PECAM-1, VE-cadherin, YKL-40, CatS, MMP9, MMP10 and ADAMTS12 levels of cerebral infarction group of patients with unstable plaque were all higher than those of patients with fibrous plaque. Conclusion: CTA can accurately assess the property of vertebrobasilar atherosclerotic plaque in patients with posterior circulation cerebral infarction and is closely related to the degree of nerve injury and the change of plaque property.

Clinical Study of Endovascular Treatment of Severe Middle Cerebral Artery Stenosis or Occlusion and Vascular Cognitive Impairment

It is very important to study the factors affecting the incidence,progress and prognosis of patients with vascular dementia.50 cases of severe middle cerebral artery stenosis or occlusion underwent endovascular treatment(25 cases of mild cognitive dysfunction,25 cases of moderate cognitive dysfunction)were divided into two groups,where a medical drug treatment group and a control group established with 25 cases in each group.The cognitive function of each group of patients was evaluated before operation,7 days after operation,30 days after operation,and 180 days after operation.CTP was used to compare the hemodynamic changes in patients before and after operation.The severe stenosis or occlusion of the middle cerebral artery in patients can be improved,and the intracranial blood supply of patients with poorly compensated medial cranial circulation and hypoperfusion can be restored to a certain extent.Meanwhile,improvement of cognitive function was definitive in some patients with cognitive dysfunction.To guide the formulation of treatment plans for patients with severe middle cerebral artery stenosis or occlusion.

An enriched environment promotes synaptic plasticity and cognitive recovery after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice

Cerebral ischemia activates an endogenous repair program that induces plastic changes in neurons. In this study, we investigated the effects of environmental enrichment on spatial learning and memory as well as on synaptic remodeling in a mouse model of chronic cerebral ischemia, produced by subjecting adult male C57 BL/6 mice to permanent left middle cerebral artery occlusion. Three days postoperatively, mice were randomly assigned to the environmental enrichment and standard housing groups. Mice in the standard housing group were housed and fed a standard diet. Mice in the environmental enrichment group were housed in a cage with various toys and fed a standard diet. Then, 28 days postoperatively, spatial learning and memory were tested using the Morris water maze. The expression levels of growth-associated protein 43, synaptophysin and postsynaptic density protein 95 in the hippocampus were analyzed by western blot assay. The number of synapses was evaluated by electron microscopy. In the water maze test, mice in the environmental enrichment group had a shorter escape latency, traveled markedly longer distances, spent more time in the correct quadrant(northeast zone), and had a higher frequency of crossings compared with the standard housing group. The expression levels of growth-associated protein 43, synaptophysin and postsynaptic density protein 95 were substantially upregulated in the hippocampus in the environmental enrichment group compared with the standard housing group. Furthermore, electron microscopy revealed that environmental enrichment increased the number of synapses in the hippocampal CA1 region. Collectively, these findings suggest that environmental enrichment ameliorates the spatial learning and memory impairment induced by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. Environmental enrichment in mice with cerebral ischemia likely promotes cognitive recovery by inducing plastic changes in synapses.

Modified constraint-induced movement therapy alters synaptic plasticity of rat contralateral hippocampus following middle cerebral artery occlusion

Modified constraint-induced movement therapy is an effective treatment for neurological and motor impairments in patients with stroke by increasing the use of their affected limb and limiting the contralateral limb.However,the molecular mechanism underlying its efficacy remains unclear.In this study,a middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)rat model was produced by the suture method.Rats received modified constraint-induced movement therapy 1 hour a day for 14 consecutive days,starting from the 7^th day after middle cerebral artery occlusion.Day 1 of treatment lasted for 10 minutes at 2r/min,day 2 for 20 minutes at 2 r/min,and from day 3 onward for 20 minutes at 4 r/min.CatWalk gait analysis,adhesive removal test,and Y-maze test were used to investigate motor function,sensory function as well as cognitive function in rodent animals from the 1st day before MCAO to the 21^st day after MCAO.On the 21^st day after MCAO,the neurotransmitter receptor-related genes from both contralateral and ipsilateral hippocampi were tested by micro-array and then verified by western blot assay.The glutamate related receptor was shown by transmission electron microscopy and the glutamate content was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography.The results of behavior tests showed that modified constraint-induced movement therapy promoted motor and sensory functional recovery in the middle cerebral artery-occluded rats,but had no effect on cognitive function.The modified constraint-induced movement therapy upregulated the expression of glutamate ionotropic receptor AMPA type subunit 3(Gria3)in the hippocampus and downregulated the expression of the beta3-adrenergic receptor gene Adrb3 and arginine vasopressin receptor 1 A,Avprla in the middle cerebral artery-occluded rats.In the ipsilateral hippocampus,only Adra2 a was downregulated,and there was no significant change in Gria3.Transmission electron microscopy revealed a denser distribution the more distribution of postsynaptic glutamate receptor 2/3,which is an a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid receptor,within 240 nm of the postsynaptic density in the contralateral cornu ammonis 3 region.The size and distribution of the synaptic vesicles within 100 nm of the presynaptic active zone were unchanged.Western blot analysis showed that modified constraint-induced movement therapy also increased the expression of glutamate receptor 2/3 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the hippocampus of rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion,but had no effect on Synapsin I levels.Besides,we also found modified constraint-induced movement therapy effectively reduced glutamate content in the contralateral hippocampus.This study demonstrated that modified constraint-induced movement therapy is an effective rehabilitation therapy in middle cerebral artery-occluded rats,and suggests that these positive effects occur via the upregulation of the postsynaptic membrane a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid receptor expression.This study was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Fudan University,China(approval No.201802173 S)on March 3,2018.

Predictors of short-term outcome in patients with acute middle cerebral artery occlusion: unsuitability of fluid-attenuated inversion recovery vascular hyperintensity scores

Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery （FLAIR） vascular hyperintensity （FVH） is used to assess leptomeningeal collateral circulation, but clinical outcomes of patients with FVH can be very different. The aim of the present study was to assess a FVH score and explore its relationship with clinical outcomes. Patients with acute ischemic stroke due to middle cerebral artery M1 occlusion underwent magnetic resonance imaging and were followed up at 10 days （National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale） and 90 days （modified Rankin Scale） to determine short-term clinical outcomes. Effective collateral circulation indirectly improved recovery of neurological function and short-term clinical outcome by extending the size of the pial penumbra and reducing infarct lesions. FVH score showed no correlation with 90-day functional clinical outcome and was not sufficient as an independent predictor of short-term clinical outcome.

Motor outcomes of patients with a complete middle cerebral artery territory infarct

Detailed knowledge of motor outcomes enables to establish proper goals and rehabilitation strate-gies for stroke patients. Several previous studies have reported functional or motor outcomes in patients with a middle cerebral artery territory infarct. However, little is known about motor outcome in patients with a complete middle cerebral artery territory infarct. In this study, we investigated the motor outcomes in 23 patients with a complete middle cerebral artery territory infarct. All of these patients received comprehensive rehabilitative management, including movement therapy and neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the affected finger extensors and ankle dorsiflexors, for more than 3 months. Motor outcomes were measured at 6 months after stroke onset using the Medical Research Council, Motricity Index, the modified Brunnstrom Classification, and Functional Ambula-tion Category scores. The motor function of the lower extremities was found to be better than that of the upper extremities. After receiving rehabilitation treatments for 3–6 months, about 70% of these patients were able to walk independently （Functional Ambulation Category scores 3）, but no pa-tient achieved functional hand recovery.