4.2. Induction of Stroke: Photothrombosis Model

Mice habituated to the animal facility for 5 days prior to onset of the surgical procedure. Vehicle, BCP, CBD, or their combination was administered IP 1 h before induction of stroke and 24 h post-stroke. Following the initial treatment or vehicle injection, mice were anesthetized by an IP injection of a mixture (1:1 by volume) of ketamine (100 mg/mL) and xylazine (20 mg/mL) at a dose of 1 mL/kg. Body temperature was monitored with a rectal thermometer and maintained between 36–38 °C with a warming pad during the surgical procedure and until adequate recovery. The scalp was excised over the skull and the periosteum removed. A marker was used to identify the sensorimotor cortex 2 mm posterior and 2 mm lateral to bregma. Rose Bengal (0.1 mL of 10 mg/mL) dissolved in saline was administered IP and 5 min later a cold light source was placed on the skull at the sensorimotor cortex marker and was left in place for 20 min [44,45]. A subset of mice were subjected to sham stroke in which they underwent each step of the described procedure but with the light source turned off. Following induction of the stroke, the incision site was sutured, and the mice were monitored for recovery before being returned to the home cage.