Aggravated chronic brain injury after focal cerebral ischemia in aquaporin-4-deficient mice

► We assessed chronic brain injury after focal cerebral ischemia in AQP4−/− mice. ► AQP4−/− mice had a lower survival rate and less body weight gain over 35 days. ► Severe brain lesions and mild glial scar formation occurred at 35 days in AQP4−/− mice. ► These may result from attenuated astrocyte functions in AQP4−/− mice.