Fig. 2.

SI mice exhibited poorer functional recovery at 72 h compared to PH mice after MCAO. a SI mice have significantly higher neurological deficit scores (NDS) than the PH cohorts, data presented as box-and-whisker plot from minimum to maximum. These effects were evident in both males and b females *p < 0.05 SI (n = 9) versus PH (n = 12) (Mann–Whitney U test). c Cylinder test in the males. The scores are presented as the ratio of (R – L/ R + L + B); where R right forelimb usage, L left forelimb use and B simultaneous usage of both forelimbs. ANOVA with repeated measures showed a significant recovery in PH mice from day 1 to day 3 but not in SI mice *p < 0.05. Similar effects were seen also in d female animals. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM