Yen-Yu Ian Shih1, Shiliang Huang1,
Fang Du1, Timothy Q. Duong1
1Research Imaging
Institute, University of
Recent reports showed forepaw electrical stimulation in rats evoked an unexpected sustained decrease in CBV in the striatum. This study applies this novel fMRI procedure to longitudinally investigate the striatal functional integrity after transient focal ischemia (MCAO model). Striatal dysfunction was observed in the acute phase, but partially recovered on Day 7. Our findings complement the existing reports in the sensory cortex. This technique has potential to longitudinally investigate the functional reorganization and treatment efficacy in the striatum of the same rat after stroke.