Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Traumatic Brain Injury l: Introduction

Traumatic Brain Injury l: Introduction

DefinitionTraumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a disturbance of normal brain function induced by an external mechanical force, such as a direct blow to the head or a penetrating injury. It can affect both brain structure and function, producing a wide range of clinical outcomes. TBI is a heterogeneous condition, meaning its effects may differ based on the type, location, and severity of the injury.Basis of ClassificationTBI is classified based on severity, injury mechanism, or pathophysiology. In...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Editorial: Recent advances in translational neurovascular and cerebroprotection research.

Frontiers in neuroscience·2026

Same author

Systemic Administration of an Anti-CD18 Antibody Prevents the Accumulation of Peripheral Leukocytes in Pericontusional Tissue, but Does Not Improve Outcome after Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice.

Journal of neurotrauma·2026

Same author

Bidirectional coupling of neuronal Ca<sup>2+</sup> and nitric oxide signals visualized by a dual biosensor.

Redox biology·2026

Same author

Medicinal gases for treating central nervous system injuries.

Advanced drug delivery reviews·2026

Same author

TREM2 expression level is critical for microglial state, metabolic capacity and efficacy of TREM2 agonism.

Nature communications·2026

Same author

The stroke risk gene Foxf2 maintains brain endothelial cell function via Tie2 signaling.

Nature neuroscience·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 13, 2026

A Preclinical Controlled Cortical Impact Model for Traumatic Hemorrhage Contusion and Neuroinflammation

A Preclinical Controlled Cortical Impact Model for Traumatic Hemorrhage Contusion and Neuroinflammation

Published on: June 10, 2020

Decompression craniectomy after traumatic brain injury: recent experimental results.

Nikolaus Plesnila¹

¹Laboratory of Experimental Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery and Institute for Surgical Research, University of Munich Medical Center, Grosshadern, Marchioninistr 15, 81377 Munich, Germany. plesnila@med.uni-muenchen.de

Progress in Brain Research

|July 10, 2007

Summary

Early decompressive craniectomy after traumatic brain injury (TBI) can prevent secondary brain damage. This surgical decompression is most effective when performed promptly to maximize neuroprotection.

More Related Videos

Controlled Cortical Impact Model of Mouse Brain Injury with Therapeutic Transplantation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Cells

Controlled Cortical Impact Model of Mouse Brain Injury with Therapeutic Transplantation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Cells

Published on: July 10, 2019

Controlled Cortical Impact Model for Traumatic Brain Injury

Controlled Cortical Impact Model for Traumatic Brain Injury

Published on: August 5, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 13, 2026

A Preclinical Controlled Cortical Impact Model for Traumatic Hemorrhage Contusion and Neuroinflammation

A Preclinical Controlled Cortical Impact Model for Traumatic Hemorrhage Contusion and Neuroinflammation

Published on: June 10, 2020

Controlled Cortical Impact Model of Mouse Brain Injury with Therapeutic Transplantation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Cells

Controlled Cortical Impact Model of Mouse Brain Injury with Therapeutic Transplantation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Cells

Published on: July 10, 2019

Controlled Cortical Impact Model for Traumatic Brain Injury

Controlled Cortical Impact Model for Traumatic Brain Injury

Published on: August 5, 2014

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Neurosurgery
Trauma Surgery

Background:

Pathologically increased intracranial pressure (ICP) after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a key predictor of poor outcomes.
Decompressive craniectomy is a long-standing surgical strategy for managing elevated ICP, but its clinical use is often limited due to a lack of robust evidence.
Current guidelines typically recommend decompressive craniectomy as a third-line treatment for elevated ICP.

Purpose of the Study:

To review and synthesize recent experimental findings on the efficacy of decompressive craniectomy in the context of TBI.
To address critical pathophysiological questions regarding the timing, impact on brain edema, and role in secondary brain damage following TBI.

Main Methods:

Review of experimental data on decompressive craniectomy after TBI.
Analysis of studies investigating the neuroprotective effects and optimal timing of surgical decompression.

Main Results:

Experimental evidence suggests that early surgical decompression is effective in preventing secondary brain damage following TBI.
The timing of decompressive craniectomy appears crucial for achieving its full neuroprotective potential.

Conclusions:

Early decompressive craniectomy shows promise in mitigating secondary brain injury after TBI.
While caution is needed when extrapolating animal study findings to human patients, the timing of this intervention is a critical factor for neuroprotection.