Publication Date
2014
Document Type
Thesis
Committee Members
Adrian Corbett (Advisor), Debra Mayes (Committee Member), Robert Putnam (Committee Member)
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Abstract
Previous studies show a fluoxetine/simvastatin drug combination successfully reduced infarct size and increased functional recovery when administered 20-26 hours post stroke. This project tested the hypothesis that earlier drug delivery at 6-12 hours post stroke will improve functional recovery and decrease infarct size, and that limb rehabilitation will improve functional recovery.
Pre-stroke function was determined in rats, a stroke was induced, and daily treatment began 6-12 hours post stroke. Baseline functional deficit was established, and additional testing over 90 days monitored functional recovery. Limb rehabilitation was provided for designated animals, and brain analysis measured infarct size.
In animals with no rehabilitation, drug treatment provided better recovery; with rehabilitation, recovery was similar whether animals received drug treatment or not, suggesting a drug treatment could replace rehabilitation if needed. Larger infarcts were also present with earlier drug delivery, implying the possibility of hemorrhagic transformation due to earlier induction of VEGF expression by our drug combination.
Page Count
142
Department or Program
Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology & Physiology
Year Degree Awarded
2014
Copyright
Copyright 2014, all rights reserved. This open access ETD is published by Wright State University and OhioLINK.
