Rodent Experimental Stroke and Surgery Core

West Virginia University, Morgantown WV

Investigators

Abstract

ABSTRACT. There is a critical need for stroke and cerebrovascular disease research in West Virginia (WV), where the mortality rates and economic burden of these conditions are among the highest in the United States. Rodent stroke models provide an opportunity to learn about the pathophysiology associated with cerebral ischemia, but daunting barriers to entry into the foundational and translational stroke fields are created by the highly specialized surgical skills needed to induce reproducible strokes, the expensive equipment needed to rigorously monitor blood flow and control other intra-ischemic physiological parameters, and the fragile post- stroke recovery period. The Rodent Experimental Stroke and Surgery (RESS) Core of the West Virginia University (WVU) Stroke CoBRE has been instrumental in eliminating these barriers to conducting stroke-related research. The RESS Core has advanced foundational stroke research by providing highly skilled surgical expertise, equipment, and facilities designed to enhance the accessibility, rigor, and reproducibility of stroke- focused studies. The catalogue of services and training offered by the RESS Core has expanded steadily through Phases I and II of the WVU Stroke CoBRE award by increasing the number of stroke surgical models offered while also integrating related surgical models for studying cerebrovascular disease, cardiovascular disease, and traumatic brain injury to meet the needs of investigators from a diverse array of disciplines. Another innovative aspect of the RESS Core is its seamless integration with the WVU Stroke CoBRE Rodent Behavior Core, which increases the experimental rigor of stroke studies by promoting functional assessment and simplification of other types of longitudinal studies that incorporate pre- and post-surgical behavioral testing. Through these efforts, the RESS Core has strengthened the research infrastructure at WVU by offering expertise and resources not otherwise available, and in doing so has become a highly valued resource to faculty conducting stroke-related research. In Phase III, the RESS Core will continue to provide expertise in the utilization of well-established stroke and brain injury models (Aim 1), and also will expand and further diversify its user base by integrating additional surgical procedures that are valuable to stroke research, but also commonly used across disciplines (Aim 2). To achieve long-term sustainability and maximize its positive impact on foundational research, the RESS Core will implement a user-fee, voucher program, and expand its services to support investigators from other institutions in WV (Aim 3). The long-term goal of the RESS Core is to become a sustainable resource for WV stroke researchers and others who require rodent surgical expertise and training to conduct biomedical research that will transform the nation’s health.