Neurovascular coupling is preserved after experimental ischaemic stroke in a combined longitudinal fMRI/SSEP study

Introduction: The mechanisms of functional recovery after stroke are not completely understood. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) using blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) changes is most widely used to study non-invasively brain reorganization. However, it is not clear yet, whether the coupling between electrical activity and hemodynamic response is preserved after stroke. We used a non-invasive protocol to study longitudinally brain reorganization and neurovascular coupling after focal brain ischemia in rats assessed by BOLD fMRI and SSEP recording. Methods: Focal ischemia was induced in male Wistar…