Mahsa Hasanzadeh-Moghadam
1,2 
, Faraz Norouzi-Bonab
3, Kimia Zabihi
3, Kimia Motlagh Asghari
1, Seyed Zanyar Athari
1,4* 1 Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
2 Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
3 Pharmacy, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, TRNC via Mersin 10, Turkey
4 Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Abstract
The internal capsule is a critical structure that is highly susceptible to ischemic injury, yet traditional stroke models often fail to isolate and precisely target this region. Laser-based methods offer a novel approach for inducing controlled, localized ischemia with high spatial accuracy. This study aimed to develop a precise mouse model of internal capsule stroke induced by the photothrombotic method using fiber optic technology, providing a reproducible platform for studying ischemic injury and recovery mechanisms in this vital brain region. To this end, an adult male BALB/c mouse was anesthetized, and 150 μg Rose Bengal/g dissolved in normal saline was intraperitoneally injected for photothrombotic ischemia induction. The optic fiber was positioned into the brain’s internal capsule using a stereotaxic frame. The laser was activated for 10 minutes to induce ischemia, and stroke was validated three days post-procedure using 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium chloride staining to confirm lesion location and extent. This novel photothrombotic stroke model provides a powerful and reliable tool for investigating ischemic injury and recovery in the internal capsule. The precision and reproducibility of this method make it a significant advancement over traditional stroke models, with potential applications in understanding stroke pathophysiology and evaluating therapeutic interventions.