Morphological Assessment of Intracerebral Hemorrhage - Animal Models of Acute Neurological Injuries: Injury and Mechanistic Assessments - page 588

Chapter 47
Morphological Assessment of Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Qing Xie , Guohua Xi , and Ya Hua
Abstract
Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a common and often fatal subtype of stroke and produces severe
neurologic defi cits in survivors, and several animal models of ICH have been developed. We have estab-
lished the ICH models in mice, rats and pigs ( 1-4 ). This chapter introduces methods for assessing
morphological changes after ICH including early brain swelling and delayed brain atrophy.
Key words: H&E staining, Luxol fast blue staining, Morphological assessment, Intracerebral
hemorrhage, Rats, Pigs
1. Method
Selection
Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining is an economic, simple,
and accurate method to assess morphological changes in small ani-
mal ICH models. It is easy to perform without sophisticated equip-
ments. Using a computerized image analysis system (NIH ImageJ
software), areas of white matter, ventricle, and hemisphere on each
section are measured. Total volumes of white matter, hemisphere,
and ventricle are calculated by multiplying area in each section by
the distance between sections.
For large animals, brain gray matter and white matter can be
measured without staining, although H&E staining is the mostly
useful method for morphological assessments. Luxol fast blue is a
useful staining to determine white matter volume in pigs ( 2 ).