Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 22, 2026

Real-time Iontophoresis with Tetramethylammonium to Quantify Volume Fraction and Tortuosity of Brain Extracellular Space
Published on: July 24, 2017
[The measurement of osmolality in neurologic intensive care]
A Del Gaudio1, C Mione, P Ciritella
1Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Ospedale Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, S. Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia.
Abstract:
Serum osmolality is one of the end-points in the management of neurologic intensive care patient. Its leading role in the concept of cerebrovascular homeostasis is underlined. Normal plasma osmolality is generally 285 mOsm kg-1, a value determined almost entirely by small molecules and ions (Na+, K+, urea and lactate). The plasma osmolality value is determined by measuring the changes in freezing point related to the zero value of a sample of distilled water. The measurement of plasma osmolality is very easy and inexpensive; its widely use could be very useful in the neurologic intensive care units to improve the treatment of neurological critical patient. According to the authors the monitoring of plasma osmolality should be mandatory to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment of brain edema.
Related Concept Videos
Osmosis
Expressing Solution Concentration
Concentrations may be quantitatively assessed using a wide variety of measurement units, each convenient for particular applications. Molarity (M) is a useful concentration unit for many applications in chemistry.
Osmosis and Osmotic Pressure of Solutions
Osmosis
Water, like other substances, moves from a high concentration of free water...
Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State
Cerebral Edema l: Introduction

