Table 2.

Comparison of the different experimental models of stroke in terms of (i) resemblance to human stroke usually included in randomized clinical trials on stroke, and (ii) experimental advantages and disadvantages.

	Similarities to stroke patients included in RCT*	Differences with stroke patients included in RCT*	Experimental advantages	Experimental disadvantages
Intraluminal monofilament MCAO	• No craniotomy needed • Massive ischemic lesion • Localization of ischemic lesion (cortical + subcortical) •High mortality •No clot •Reperfusion injury after filament removal •Rapid, sudden recanalization after filament removal		•Control of the duration of the occlusion •Behavioral deficits easily quantifiable	•Transection of the external carotid artery needed (ischemic damages in the unirrigated territories) •Secondary microthrombosis after filament removal •High mortality
Electrocoagulation MCAO	•Ischemic lesion location equivalent to human stroke included in RCT •No reperfusion injury	•Small craniotomy needed	•No secondary microthrombosis •Low mortality	•Not suitable for testing thrombolytic drugs •Slight behavioral deficits, not long-lasting
ThromboembolicMCAO- Thrombin injection- FeCl3 contact	•Ischemic lesion location equivalent to human stroke included in RCT •No reperfusion injury •Real clot (fibrin-rich or platelet-rich) into the lumen of the artery •Possible spontaneous recanalization within 24 h after stroke onset (thrombin model) •Similar time-window response to intravenous tPA (thrombin model	•Small craniotomy needed	•Good models for testing thrombolytics •No secondary microthrombosis •Low mortality	•Possible uncontrolled early spontaneous recanalization (in situ thrombin injection model) •Slight behavioral deficits, not long-lasting

*RCT (randomized clinical trials) on immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory drugs; MCAO, Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion