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Abstract
Stroke is the leading cause of disability in North America. Current therapies are extremely limited and carry no potential for tissue regeneration. Human induced pluripotent stem cell derived neural progenitor cells (iNPCs) have shown therapeutic promise in several rodent models of stroke. Previous translational failures between rodent models and human clinical trials, however, have highlighted the need for transitional large animal models of stroke where potential therapies are investigated for effects, not only on structural, but also on functional outcomes. In this study, a functional outcome scale is developed for a porcine ischemic stroke model. This scale was used to assess the effects of iNPCs on functional outcome in pigs following permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion. iNPC treatment hastened recovery across multiple functional parameters in pigs following ischemic stroke. Results were repeatable between different observers supporting the use of the developed scale in future investigations of regenerative therapies in pigs following neurologic injury.