Functional Ultrasound Imaging Service in Animal Models of Stroke

Ultrasound is a non-invasive technique for rapid real-time imaging. Functional ultrasound imaging is an important tool in many neurological disorders, especially in stroke disorders. Functional ultrasound uses multiplane wave ultrasound to generate two-dimensional images of blood flow through the brain in a matter of seconds. It also provides greater spatial and temporal coverage than the limited "snapshots" of conventional ultrasound. In addition, it has an inherent sensitivity that makes it easier to detect small changes in neuronal activation than functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Fig. 1. Potential of ultrasound in animal models of stroke. (Gómez-de Frutos et al., 2021)

Our Services

Ace Therapeutics offers cutting-edge functional ultrasound imaging services to measure transient changes in blood volume in animal models of ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Imaging readings are based on the Doppler effect, in which waves are reflected by red blood cells traveling through blood vessels. The signal is proportional to relative cerebral blood volume.

Our imaging team can quickly and easily perform functional ultrasound imaging of brain activity in mice, rats, and other small animals, providing detailed pictures of the brain. Our functional ultrasound imaging services are widely used by our clients for basic brain research, drug development, and stroke research.

Characteristics of ultrasound imaging

• Our ultrasound imaging can effectively and rapidly assess/monitor ischemic process dynamics in experimental stroke animal studies.
• Our ultrasound technology can be used to increase microvascular permeability and triggers cavitation, thereby allowing transport of microbubbles and release of drugs to the desired area.
• Our ultrasound technology can be used to enhance the activity of thrombolytic drugs and facilitate thrombolysis.

Applications of Our Services

Our ultrasound imaging services allow us to assist clients in:

• Determining cerebral blood flow in ischemic stroke animals.
• Monitoring hypoperfusion after thromboembolic stroke.
• Studying tissue perfusion in animal models of hemorrhagic stroke.
• Fine spatiotemporal follow-up of cerebral blood volume after stroke and treatment.

Our Advantages

• High-quality results: Provide high-resolution images with 3D information.
• Rapid detection: Take approximately 2-3 hours to collect functional ultrasound imaging data.
• Extensive experience: Several studies of functional ultrasound imaging in thromboembolic stroke models are ongoing.

Ace Therapeutics functional ultrasound in vivo imaging can be used in the context of stroke to diagnose ischemic injury, predict outcome and response to therapy in the early stages after stroke onset. We aim to accelerate your stroke research. If you are interested in our services, please do not hesitate to contact us!

1. Gómez-de Frutos, M. C., et al. (2021). The role of ultrasound as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in experimental animal models of stroke: a review. Biomedicines, 9(11), 1609.