Abstract
The photothrombotic model of stroke is commonly used in research as it allows the ischemic infarct to be targeted to specific regions of the cortex with high reproducibility and well-defined infarct borders. Unlike other models of stroke, photothrombosis allows the precise size and location of infarct to be tightly controlled with minimal surgical invasion. Photothrombosis is induced when a circulating photosensitive dye is irradiated in vivo, resulting in focal disruption of the endothelium, activation of platelets and occlusion of the microvasculature ( Watson et al., 1985 ; Dietrich et al., 1987 ; Carmichael, 2005). The protocols here define how photothrombosis can be specifically targeted to the sensorimotor forelimb cortex of rat with high reproducibility. Detailed methods on rat cortical tissue processing to allow for accurate analysis of stroke volume and stereotactic determination of the precise cortical region of ischemic damage are provided.