Abstract WP95: Cortical Neurogenesis in the Juvenile Brain Following Ischemic Stroke

Introduction: Ischemic stroke is a common injury of the CNS, resulting in neuronal death and impaired brain function, likely contributing to long-term disability in adults. The lack of pharmacological interventions for patients with impairments in stroked-injured brain regions signals need for new strategies aimed at restoring function to the post-ischemic brain. Neurogenesis involves the generation of newborn neurons and occurs throughout life in the mammalian brain, making it an appealing target for potential interventions to enhance post-stroke recovery. Stroke-induced neurogenesis in adult mice has been reported to involve vigorous proliferation and migration of neural progenitors, but most cells die rapidly and fail to repopulate damaged areas. We tested the hypothesis that cortical neurogenesis is enhanced in the immature brain. Methods: We compared juvenile (P20-25) and adult (P60) mice following 45min transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). Neurogenesis was examined with immunohistochem...