An experimental model of lacunar infarction: Embolization of microthrombi

Abstract

Injecting microthrombi reproducibly caused areas of necrosis resembling lacunar type infarctions. These were primarily located in the striatum and thalamus presumably because these areas lack the branching, collateral network seen in the cortex. In addition, these data give further evidence that the extent of brain injury from emboli depends upon composition and shape as well as size.

White matter damage and glymphatic dysfunction in a model of vascular dementia in rats with no prior vascular pathologies

“…Firstly, while this model may be potentially clinically relevant and several studies have demonstrated that cholesterol crystal embolization can induce cognitive deficits, there are some differences in the observed infarctions (number, location and size) largely due to variations in the number and size of cholesterol crystals used (Rapp, et al, 2008a,Rapp, et al, 2008b,Wang, et al, 2012). Secondly, the MMI model appears to be highly sensitive to age as we have demonstrated as well as others (Rapp, et al, 2008b).…”

“…Cholesterol crystals were freshly prepared (Rapp, et al, 2008a,Rapp, et al, 2008b,Wang, et al, 2012) (summarized in supplementary Figure 1), and were filtered using 100μm cell strainer with filtrate passed through a 70μm cell strainer to collect residual crystals of size 70-100μm. The crystals were counted on a hemocytometer and diluted to yield a final concentration of 500±100 crystals/300μl saline/per rat.…”

“…Male young adult (young, 3-4 months) and retired breeder (RB, 6-8 months) Wistar rats were subjected to the MMI model, as previously described (Rapp, et al, 2008a,Rapp, et al, 2008b,Wang, et al, 2012). Briefly, rats were anesthetized with 2% isoflurane in a jar for pre-anesthetic, and spontaneously respired with 1.5% isoflurane in 2:1 N 2 O:O 2 mixture using a facemask connected and regulated with a modified FLUOTEC 3 Vaporizer (Fraser Harlake, Orchard Park, NY).…”

“…In this study, we employ a previously described and accepted MMI model using cholesterol crystals to induce VaD (Rapp, et al, 2008a,Rapp, et al, 2008b,Wang, et al, 2012) and investigate for the first time selective pathophysiological events driving white matter (WM) damage and cognitive deficits.…”

Models and mechanisms of vascular dementia

“…Rapp et al also compared infarcts caused by embolism with microthrombi and cholesterol crystals [88]. While thrombus fragments induced discreet infarcts of about 0.1– 1.7mm diameter, cholesterol crystals induced smaller infarcts specifically in the subcortical tissue.…”