I am doing the research on animal stroke models. Generally we use the MCAo induced focal cerebral ischemic models in mice. As it is obvious that mice undergone with right MCA occlusion circles towards the left direction and vice versa. Is it just because of the occlusion of ocular artery of mice or the damage in the right portion of the brain (where the part of brain that regulates the vision is located)?
Not an expert in mouse brain vasculature, but the rotatory movement you are referring to must be as a result of weakness in the contralateral limbs. In humans milder form of MCA stroke manifests as flexor positioning of the contralateral hand. Similar phenomenon in mice would decrease the reach of its contralateral front limb (flexor positioning) thereby creating an arc on that side while in motion. The weakened front limb acts as a sort of pivot. That should explain the phenomenon of the mouse going around circles.
What goes around, comes around.
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