Measurement of Peri-Infarct Dendritic Spine Turnover After Stroke

Stroke often results in significant motor, sensory, and cognitive impairments. The brain's ability to recover after stroke is closely linked to neuroplasticity. Following a stroke, the peri-infarct region undergoes large-scale changes in neuronal response properties; however, the structural mechanisms underlying these functional changes have not been elucidated. Dendritic spines, small protrusions on neurons that form synapses, play a critical role in neuroplasticity and neural circuit reorganization. Studies have shown that transient ischemic stroke can induce changes in dendrite complexity and spine density. However, the damaged synaptic structures could be restored during post-stroke recovery. Therefore, measuring dendritic spine dynamics in the peri-infarct area is essential for understanding the mechanisms of post-stroke recovery and developing targeted therapeutics.

Fig. 1. The changes of dendritic spine structure during ischemia and reperfusion. Fig. 1 Rapid, reversible changes to dendritic spine structure during ischemia and reperfusion. (Brown, et al., 2008)

Our Dendritic Spine Dynamics Measurement Services

Leveraging our expertise in stroke research, Ace Therapeutics provides customized dendritic spine dynamics measurement services to meet the unique needs of our clients. Using advanced two-photon microscopy, we perform high-resolution imaging of cultured neuronal cells or brain slices to measure dendritic spine turnover in the peri-infarct region after stroke. Our comprehensive service includes quantification of key parameters, including:

Dendritic spine density
The rates of dendritic spine formation
The rate of dendritic spine elimination
Mobile spine fraction
Morphological changes in dendritic spines

Advantages of Our Dendritic Spine Dynamics Measurement Services

In vivo imaging and quantification: We provide real-time imaging and quantification of dendritic spine dynamics (turnover) in living animal brains, offering insights into post-stroke neuroplasticity.
Comprehensive readouts: In addition to dendritic spine analysis, we offer the flexibility to incorporate other critical readouts, such as behavioral assessments and pharmacokinetic studies.
Longitudinal monitoring: Our advanced imaging techniques allow for repeated observations over hours, days, weeks, or even months after stroke, capturing the temporal evolution of dendritic spine changes.
Multiple imaging regions: We can image 1-3 regions per animal.
High-throughput analysis: We can quantify the turnover of hundreds of dendritic spines per animal.

Our Dendritic Spine Dynamics Measurement Are Applicable To

Explore the mechanisms of neuroplasticity after stroke
Evaluate the effects of neuroprotective drugs on dendritic spine dynamics, providing critical data for drug screening and efficacy evaluation.

Through high-resolution imaging, expert data analysis, and interdisciplinary collaboration, Ace Therapeutics provides comprehensive data on dendritic spine dynamics to aid in the study of neural repair mechanisms after stroke and the development of therapeutic strategies. If you are interested in our services, please contact us for more information.

Reference

Brown, C. E., & Murphy, T. H. (2008). Livin'on the edge: imaging dendritic spine turnover in the peri-infarct zone during ischemic stroke and recovery. The Neuroscientist, 14(2), 139-146.

All of our services are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.