Imaging the Transformation of Ipsilateral Internal Capsule Following Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Rat by Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging

Background The purpose of our study is to explore the relationship between recovery of neural function and transformation of the internal capsule (IC) after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) by using diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI). Methods Six male adult Sprague-Dawley rats implemented with transient MCAO were used in this study. Sensorimotor function was assessed according to repetitive behavioral testing on day 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 after cerebral ischemia. Metrics of DKI were acquired, and the time course of the region-to-normal ratio was evaluated in IC. Results After cerebral ischemia, relative fractional anisotropy in IC decreased on day 3 ( P