Neurological deficit scoring test

A neurological deficit scoring test was carried out for the evaluation of neurological behavior deficits 24 h after MCAO surgery. It was based on a five-point scale system [22]. It was given to animals according to their neurological responses: normal posture and no sign of neurological abnormality (no neurological deficit, 0), lack of the ability to completely extend the contralateral forelimb (mild neurological deficit, 1), circling to the contralateral side (moderate neurological deficit, 2), inability to walk and falling to the contralateral side with signs of seizures and sensitivity to stimulus (severe neurological deficit, 3), and no movement or no sign of consciousness (very severe neurological deficit, 4).