Duration of the neuroinflammatory process after ischemic stroke not well understood

Establish the duration of the neuroinflammatory process following middle cerebral artery occlusion-induced ischemic stroke in mice, as reflected by microglial activation in the penumbra, beyond the initial two-week observation window commonly used in experimental studies.

Background

The compiled experimental literature cited by the authors typically measures microglial cell counts up to 14 days post-MCAO, leaving the overall duration of neuroinflammation uncertain. This limitation directly impacts the ability to validate long-term model predictions.

The paper’s models suggest persistent inflammation, but the authors note the duration is not well understood, underscoring the need for extended experimental observations and analysis to determine the true time course of neuroinflammatory activity.