Intracerebral Hemorrhage Models and Behavioral Tests in Rodents

Abstract

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is one of the common types of stroke, which can cause neurological dysfunction. In preclinical ICH studies, researchers often established rodent models by donor/autologous whole blood or a collagenase injection. White matter injury (WMI) can result from primary and secondary injuries after ICH. WMI can lead to short- and long-term neurological impairment, and functional recovery can assess the effect of drug therapy after ICH. Therefore, researchers have devised various behavioral tests to assess dysfunction. This review compares the two ICH modeling methods in rodents and summarizes the pathological mechanisms underlying dysfunction after ICH. We also summarize the functions and characteristics of various behavioral methods, including sensation, motion, emotion, and cognition, to assist researchers in selecting the appropriate tests for preclinical ICH research.

Keywords: Intracerebral hemorrhage; behavioral tests; functional impairment; white matter injury.