[18F]FDG/PET: a non-invasive technique for the study of stroke in murine and rat models

The use of mouse and rat models in conjunction with anatomic functional imaging techniques has directly contributed to expanding knowledge about the complex pathophysiology of stroke. Therefore, this study aims to identify the most relevant mouse and rat models of stroke and how [18F]FDG/PET can contribute to this pathology study. A narrative review of the literature was performed to describe applications of positron emission tomography in conjunction with the radiopharmaceutical [18F]FDG in stroke models. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for relevant articles published between 2015 and 2022. In this study, we describe applications of positron emission tomography in combination with the radiopharmaceutical [18F]FDG in mouse and rat stroke models. The most commonly used model was middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats. This study demonstrates that using murine and rat models in conjunction with anatomic functional imaging techniques has directly contributed to expanding knowledge about the complex pathophysiology of stroke. In addition, they have been essential for studies aimed at discovering and developing therapeutic and prophylactic strategies for the disease.