Effects of sensorimotor activity on the perilesional glial response after cortical infarcts

Focal cerebral ischemia in the adult central nervous system evokes a strong glial proliferative response forming a dense astroglial scar in the perilesional area. Increasing evidence indicates that the role of this proliferation of astrocytes but also oligodendrocytes and microglial cells is ambiguous comprising protective and deleterious effects as well. Here, we analyzed the effects of activity on the perilesional glial response after circumscribed cortical infarcts in the forelimb sensorimotor cortex using a photochemical model in rats. Sham-operated animals served as controls. Following infarct induction one…