Temporary (3 hour) middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was achieved using the intraluminal suture model6 (link) under isoflurane anesthesia, as we have previously reported 3 (link),4 (link). All animals were singly housed before and after surgery, with free access to food and water. At reperfusion, a single dose of candesartan 1mg/kg or saline control was given intravenously via a tail vein, at a volume of 1 mL/kg.