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Important questions regarding the conduct of scientific research and data transparency have been raised in various scientific forums over the last 10 years. It is becoming clear, that in spite of published RIGOR guidelines, that improvement in the transparency of scientific research is required to focus on the discovery and drug development process so that a treatment can be provided to stroke patients. We have the unique privilege of conducting research using animal models of a disease so that we can address the development of a new therapy, and we should do this with great care and vigilance. This document identifies valuable resources for researchers to become Good Laboratory Practices compliant and increase and improve data transparency and provides guidelines for accurate data management to continue to propel the translational stroke research field forward while recognizing that there is a shortage of research funds worldwide. While data audits are being considered worldwide by funding agencies and they are used extensively by industry, they are still quite controversial for basic researchers. Due to the special exploratory nature of basic and translational science research, the current challenging funding environment, and independent and individualized laboratory activities, it is debatable if current individualized non-standardized data management and monitoring represents the best approach. Thus, herein, we propose steps to prepare research study data in an acceptable form for archival purposes so that standards for translational research data can be comparable to those that are accepted and adhered to by the clinical community. If all translational research laboratories follow and institute the guidelines while conducting translational research, data from all sources may be more comparable and reliable.

Acute ischemic stroke is inadequately treated in the USA and worldwide due to a lengthy history of neuroprotective drug failures in clinical trials. The majority of victims must endure life-long disabilities that not only affect their livelihood, but also have an enormous societal economic impact. The rapid development of a neuroprotective or cytoprotective compound would allow future stroke victims to receive a treatment to reduce disabilities and further promote recovery of function. This opinion article reviews in detail the enormous costs associated with developing a small molecule to treat stroke, as well as providing a timely overview of the cell-death time-course and relationship to the ischemic cascade. Distinct temporal patterns of cell-death of neurovascular unit components provide opportunities to intervene and optimize new cytoprotective strategies. However, adequate research funding is mandatory to allow stroke researchers to develop and test their novel therapeutic approach to treat stroke victims.

The classical neurovascular unit (NVU), composed primarily of endothelium, astrocytes, and neurons, could be expanded to include smooth muscle and perivascular nerves present in both the up- and downstream feeding blood vessels (arteries and veins). The extended NVU, which can be defined as the vascular neural network (VNN), may represent a new physiological unit to consider for therapeutic development in stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other brain disorders (Zhang et al., Nat Rev Neurol 8(12):711-716, 2012). This review is focused on traumatic brain injury and resultant post-traumatic changes in cerebral blood flow, smooth muscle cells, matrix, blood-brain barrier structures and function, and the association of these changes with cognitive outcomes as described in clinical and experimental reports. We suggest that studies characterizing TBI outcomes should increase their focus on changes to the VNN, as this may yield meaningful therapeutic targets to resolve posttraumatic dysfunction.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has dramatically changed our ability to diagnose and treat stroke as well as follow its evolution and response to treatment. Early stroke and ischemia can be visualized using diffusion-weighted imaging that utilizes water diffusion within tissues as a reporter for evolving neuropathology that reflects cytotoxic edema, particularly during the first several days after injury. T2-weighted imaging is used for evaluation of vasogenic edema but also is a reliable indicator of the volume and regional distribution of injured tissues. Perfusion-weighted imaging can be used to assess vascular function and also to evaluate potential tissues that might be rescued using therapeutic interventions (core vs. penumbra). Other imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance spectroscopy, diffusion tensor imaging, and susceptibility-weighted imaging are also being used to assist in rapid diagnosis of injured tissues following stroke. While visual analysis of MR data can provide some information about the evolution of injury, quantitative analyses allow definitive and objective evaluations of the injury and could be used to assess novel therapeutic strategies. We review here the basic uses of neuroimaging, focusing on MR approaches to assess stroke and ischemic injury in animal models.