A clinically relevant model of stroke using aged rats

Abstract

Diabetes, arterial hypertension and hypercholesterolemia are commonly described in elderly persons and are associated with higher risk of stroke. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to test the efficacy of cell therapies in an age-appropriate animal stroke model. Unfortunately, at the present time, animal models of stroke ignore age and comorbidities frequently associated with aging. Thus, numerous bench-to-bedside translation experiments evaluating neuroprotective strategies have been unsuccessful. In order to mimic more closely the clinical condition, we have established a model of ischemic stroke in aged rats. Using this model, we have showed that post-stroke angiogenesis is not impaired in the ischemic aged brain. Also, we have proved that stroke in aged rodent models reiterates closely the chain of pathological and clinical events described in stroke patients.