Longitudinal Assessment of Whole-brain Perfusion in Mice with Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion by BOLD-DSC MRI

Motivation: To further validate the use of non-invasive BOLD-DSC for longitudinal assessment of hemodynamics in ischemic stroke progression. Goal(s): To assess CBV and CBF dynamics across pre-occlusion, occlusion, and reperfusion phases, extending up to four hours post-30-minute filament-induced transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) in mice. Approach: Whole-brain CBV and CBF were measured non-invasively using BOLD-DSC with 5-second hypoxic challenges (0% O2) at 9.4T Results: Significant reductions in CBV and CBF were observed during MCA occlusion, with partial restoration evident during the reperfusion phase. Impact: This study demonstrates the utility of BOLD-DSC MRI as a non-invasive, real-time approach to monitor hemodynamic changes in ischemic stroke, revealing both the immediate and prolonged effects of transient ischemia on CBV and CBF.