Surgical occlusion of a distal middle cerebral artery branch (MCAo) is a frequently used model in experimental stroke research. This manuscript describes the basic technique of permanent MCAo, combined with the insertion of a lateral cranial window, which offers the opportunity for longitudinal intravital microscopy in mice.
Bayerl, S. H., Nieminen-Kelhä, M., Broggini, T., Vajkoczy, P., Prinz, V. Lateral Chronic Cranial Window Preparation Enables In Vivo Observation Following Distal Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in Mice. J. Vis. Exp. (118), e54701, doi:10.3791/54701 (2016).