Spinal cord infarction: a highly reproducible stroke model.

The study of focal central nervous system ischemia has been impeded by the lack of animal models that are both reproducible and simulate human ischemic strokes. To circumvent these problems, we have developed a rabbit spinal cord infarction model. Infarction of the caudal lumbar cord is produced by temporary occlusion of the abdominal aorta below the renal arteries. One hour of ischemia causes all of the animals to develop spinal cord infarctions in a highly reproducible pattern. These animals can be maintained alive for at least 2 weeks post-operatively. We believe that the tissue changes in spinal cord infarction are qualitatively similar to infarction of most areas of the central nervous system. This model has numerous features which make it particularly useful for neurochemical, neuropathological, and neurophysiological studies.