Measurement of Uninterrupted Cerebral Blood Flow by Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI) During the Mouse Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Model by an Inverted LSCI Setup

Abstract

Laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) offers the ability to measure relative cerebral blood flow (CBF) through the intact skull in mice. LSCI can be used to measure changes in cortical CBF in the middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAo/R) stroke model. However, because conventional LSCI approaches are designed to image from above, uninterrupted measurement of CBF during the MCAo/R procedure is not possible due to the need to repeatedly reposition the mouse between prone and supine positions. We present a modified method to perform LSCI measurement from beneath the surgical preparation, thus allowing uninterrupted measurement of relative CBF from baseline through re-introduction of blood flow. We provide a 3D printable imaging platform and corresponding head frame, as well as methods to improve skull clarity in young and aged mice.

Keywords: 3D-printed imaging platform; Cerebral blood flow; Inverted laser speckle contrast imaging; Mice; Stroke.