Form of the lingering inflammatory response between Days 14–35 is unknown

Characterize the form of the lingering neuroinflammatory response in the penumbra between Day 14 and Day 35 after middle cerebral artery occlusion-induced ischemic stroke in mice, determining whether microglial cell counts reach a steady state, exhibit oscillations, or change slowly over time.

Background

To assess and validate forecast predictions beyond the 14-day data window, the authors adopt evaluation criteria from related experimental studies. They explicitly note that while inflammation may linger between Days 14 and 35, its form is unknown.

This uncertainty encompasses multiple plausible behaviors (steady state, oscillatory dynamics, or slow monotonic change), and resolving it is essential for accurate long-term prediction and biological interpretation of microglial activity post-stroke.