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Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Inflammatory response after stroke determines the outcome of ischemic injury. A recent study has reported an efficient method, epidural arterial implantation (EAI), for accelerating interstitial fluid (ISF) drainage, which provides a promising strategy to clear pro-inflammatory cytokines in the brain extracellular space (ECS). In this study, the method of EAI was modified (m-EAI) to control its function of accelerating the ISF drainage at different time points following ischemic attack. The neuroprotective effect of m-EAI on ischemic stroke was evaluated with the transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) rat model. The results demonstrated the accumulation of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α was significantly decreased by activating m-EAI at 7 d before and immediately after ischemic attack in tMCAO rats, accompanied with decreased infarct volume and improved neurological function. This study consolidates the hypothesis of exacerbated ischemic damage by inflammatory response and provides a new perspective to treat encephalopathy via brain ECS. Further research is essential to investigate whether m-EAI combined with neuroprotective drugs could enhance the therapeutic effect on ischemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To design and develop an electrical properties measurement strategy with Tracer-based MRI system to comprehensively and simultaneously detect the structure parameters, diffusion coefficients and electrical characteristics of brain extracellular space (ECS). A Tracer-based MRI system, integrated with Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT), was developed to simultaneously measurement brain ECS structural parameters, diffusion coefficients, and electrical characteristics. Twelve adult Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: the first group was assessed using traditional Tracer-based MRI alone (n = 6), and the second group with the integration of EIT compatible with impedance measurements (n = 6). The diffusion coefficient, volume fraction, and electrical performance parameters were analysed. The study demonstrated the feasibility of obtaining electrical properties of the ECS, including conductivity (2.006 S/m), dielectric constant (84.77), diffusion rate (3.54*10–4 mm2/s), and volume fraction(17.43%). Additionally, the group assessed with the integration of EIT exhibited a significant decrease in both the diffusion coefficient of ECS molecules (t = 4.748, P < 0.01) and ECS volume fraction (t = 7.77, P < 0.01), compared to using Tracer-based MRI alone. Tracer-based MRI integrated with EIT system enables comprehensive and simultaneous assessment of ECS including structure parameters, diffusion coefficients and electrical characteristics. This approach shows promise as a new method for neuromodulation through the ECS pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]