Authors: Shengxiang Zhang, Timothy H Murphy
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.0050119
Abstract Summary
Using two-photon microscopy in mice, researchers mapped stroke damage at unprecedented resolution, revealing that brain tissue can survive up to 80 μm from flowing blood vessels. The transition between healthy and damaged neural circuits occurs sharply over tens of micrometers. Critically, tissue near the stroke border remains functional within hours, suggesting these peri-infarct regions could be key targets for stroke recovery therapies.
Why Brain? 🧠
Two-photon microscopy reveals how microscopic blood flow changes affect brain cell structure and function after stroke, showing surprisingly sharp boundaries between damaged and healthy tissue and identifying potentially salvageable brain regions.
The image is AI-generated for illustrative purposes only. Courtesy of Midjourney.
