Repeated longitudinal in vivo imaging of neuro-glio-vascular unit at the peripheral boundary of ischemia in mouse cerebral cortex

► Repeated live cell imaging at the boundary of cerebral ischemia. ► Vital staining of astrocyte with intraperitoneal injection of sulforhodamine 101. ► Neuronal uptake of sulforhodamine 1-3 days after MCAO. ► Dilation and restructuring of microvessels up to 7 days after MCAO. ► Reproducibility of MCAO was evaluated with MRI techniques.