Unscheduled changes in pre-clinical stroke model housing contributes to variance in physiological and behavioural data outcomes: a post hoc analysis

McFall, A. , Graham, D. , Nicklin, S. A. and Work, L. M. (2024) Unscheduled changes in pre-clinical stroke model housing contributes to variance in physiological and behavioural data outcomes: a post hoc analysis. Brain and Neuroscience Advances, 8, (doi: 10.1177/23982128241238934) (PMID:38516557) (PMCID:PMC10956152)

Abstract

Ischaemic stroke presents a significant problem worldwide with no neuroprotective drugs available. Many of the failures in the search for neuroprotectants are attributed to failure to translate from pre-clinical models to humans, which has been combatted with rigorous pre-clinical stroke research guidelines. Here, we present post hoc analysis of a pre-clinical stroke trial, conducted using intraluminal filament transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in the stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat, whereby unscheduled changes were implemented in the animal housing facility. These changes severely impacted body weight post-stroke resulting in a change from the typical body weight of 90.6% of pre-surgery weight post-stroke, to on average 80.5% of pre-surgery weight post-stroke. The changes also appeared to impact post-stroke blood pressure, with an increase from 215.4 to 240.3 mmHg between housing groups, and functional outcome post-stroke, with a 38% increased latency to contact in the sticky label test. These data highlight the importance of tightly controlled housing conditions when using physiological or behavioural measurements as a primary outcome.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by a British Heart Foundation PhD studentship (FS/15/64/32035).
• Keywords: Animal housing, preclinical stroke, corncob, physiology.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Work, Dr Lorraine and Nicklin, Professor Stuart and McFall, Dr Aisling and Graham, Dr Delyth
• Authors: McFall, A., Graham, D., Nicklin, S. A., and Work, L. M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
• Journal Name: Brain and Neuroscience Advances
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• ISSN: 2398-2128
• ISSN (Online): 2398-2128
• Published Online: 20 March 2024
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2024 The Author(s)
• First Published: First published in Brain and Neuroscience Advances 8
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons license

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
172199		BHF 4 Year PhD Studentship Award (3rd intake 2015)	Rhian Touyz	British Heart Foundation (BHF)	FS/15/64/32035	School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health