Infarct volume measurement from the Cresyl violet staining.

<p>The cerebral lesion size observed in the right hemisphere (RH) after MCAO-r was measured at D1 and D7. Values are expressed in % of the RH.</p

H_max/M_max ratios after isometric exercise.

<p>The M- and H-waves are evoked by stimulation of the musculospiral nerve. * indicates a significant decrease of H_max/M_max evoked after exercise compared to the H_max/M_max evoked before exercise for the Control, SHAM-D1, SHAM-D7 and MCAO-D7 groups (p<0.01). No difference was observed for the MCAO-D1 group.</p

MRI analysis (T₂).

<p>Size of the cerebral edema at the right hemisphere after MCAO-r on 2 rats. The measures are realized at D1 and D7.</p

Illustration of the behavioral tests.

<p><b>A</b>. The elevated body swing, <b>B</b>. The balance test on 2 wooden beams, <b>C</b>. The ladder-climbing test, <b>D</b>. The grip force test with both forelimbs and <b>E</b>. The grip force test with only one forelimb (in this example, the right forelimb).</p

Duration of isometric exercise evoked by electrical stimulation of the musculospiral nerve.

<p>+ indicates a significant difference between MCAO-D1 and MCAO-D7 groups compared to Control, SHAM-D1and SHAM-D7 groups (p<0.01).</p

Representative coronal slices with Cresyl violet following MCAO-r.

<p><b>A</b>. Slices recorded at MCAO-D1. <b>B</b>. Slices recorded at SHAM-D1.</p

The ladder-climbing test.

<p>The ladder-climbing test is used to evaluate the sensorimotor capacities to correctly grip the rung while rats climbed up a inclined ladder. <b>*</b> indicates a decrease of the successful score in the MCAO-D7 group between PRE and D1 to D7 (p<0.001). The successful score is expressed in % in the graph. <b>+</b> indicates a decrease of the successful score in the MCAO-D7 group compared to Control and SHAM-D7 groups from D1 to D7 (p<0.001). For the MCAO-D7 group: δ indicates a significant difference between D7 and D1 to D5; <b>§</b> indicates a significant difference between D6 and D1 to D5; ψ indicates a significant difference between D5 and D1 to D4 (p<0.001).</p

The elevated body swing test.

<p>This test is used to assess the lateralization of the lesion (asymmetrical motor behavior). * indicates a significant increase for the left swing number/total swing number ratio for MCAO-D7 group between PRE and from D1 to D7 (p<0.001). + indicates a significant increase for the left swing number/total swing number ratio for MCAO-D7 group compared to Control and SHAM-D7 groups from D1 to D7 (p<0.001).</p

Behavioral tests for Control, SHAM-D1 and MCAO-D1 groups.

<p>The PRE and D1 values are represented. ^* indicates significant differences between PRE and D1 (p<0.001). ⁺ indicates significant differences between MCAO-D1 group and the 2 other groups (p<0.001).</p

Beam balance test.

<p>The beam balance task is used to assess deficits of the vestibulomotor function after MCAOr. * indicates a significant decrease in the balance duration for MCAO-D7 group between PRE and from D1 to D7 (p<0.001). + indicates a significant decrease in the balance duration for MCAO-D7 group compared to Control and SHAM-D7 groups from D1 to D7 (p<0.001). For the MCAO-D7 group: Ω indicates a significant difference between D4 and D1 to D3; δ indicates a significant difference between D5 and D1 to D4; § indicates a significant difference between D6 and D1 to D4 (p<0,001 for all); ψ indicates a significant difference between D7 and D1 to D4 (p<0.001 for all).</p