Experimental intracranial aneurysms in rats. A gross and microscopic study.

Experimental cerebral aneurysms were induced in rats in which the left carotid artery was ligated. The rats were rendered hypertensive by the Goldblatt procedure, and fed a diet containing beta-aminopropionitrile. These intracranial aneurysms have significant gross and microscopic similarities to human berry aneurysms. The procedures and microscopic observations indicate that this experimental model could be useful for studying the development, pathophysiology, and therapy of saccular aneurysms.