Defective hippocampal neurogenesis underlies cognitive impairment by carotid stenosis-induced cerebral hypoperfusion in mice

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion due to carotid artery stenosis is a major cause of vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID). Bilateral (BCAS) in rodents well-established model VCID where most studies have focused on white matter pathology subsequent deficit. Therefore, our aim was study the implication adult hippocampal neurogenesis hypoperfusion-induced mice, its relationship with deficits. Mice were subjected BCAS; 1 3 months later, memory neurogenesis/cell death assessed, respectively, by novel object location (NOL) spontaneous alternation performance (SAP) tests immunohistology. Hypoperfusion assessed arterial spin labeling-magnetic resonance imaging (ASL-MRI). Hypoperfused mice displayed spatial deficits decreased NOL recognition index. Along deficit, reduced number newborn neurons their aberrant morphology indicated remarkable neurogenesis. Both increased cell subgranular zone (SGZ) neuroblast proliferation rate may account for reduction. Our data demonstrate quantitative qualitative disturbances associated hypoperfusion-cognitive mice. These findings pave way diagnostic therapeutic targets VCID.