Investigate the neuroprotective effects of electrical stimulation following acute ischemic stroke in non-human primates

Abstract Brain stimulation has emerged as a novel therapy for ischemic stroke, major cause of brain injury that often results in lifelong disability. Although previous vitro and rodent studies have demonstrated neuroprotection using electrical or sensory acutely after few these been replicated humans due to significant scale anatomical differences, addition limited understanding stimulation-induced network changes. Therefore, we combined electrophysiology histology study the effects following cortical stroke non-human primates (NHPs). To produce controlled focal lesions, used photothrombotic method induce targeted vasculature damage sensorimotor cortices two macaques while collecting electrocorticography (ECoG) signals bilaterally. In another macaques, followed same lesioning procedures applied repeated via an ECoG electrode medial lesion. We investigated protective on neural dynamics electrophysiological markers such signal power. addition, performed histological analysis including Nissl immunohistochemistry staining evaluate differences lesion volume, neuronal death, neuroinflammatory response microglia. comparison controls, showed decreased gamma power across cortex stimulated animals. Meanwhile, revealed smaller volumes reduced microglial group, suggesting may exert by suppressing post-ischemic activity reducing excitotoxicity. With similarity between NHP human brains, this paves path developing effective stimulation-based acute clinical studies. Research Category Technology Methods Translational Research: 13. Other Stimulation Keywords: Ischemic Lesioning, Electrical stimulation, Electrocorticography