Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026
10:34
Double Direct Injection of Blood into the Cisterna Magna as a Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Published on: August 30, 2020
Spreading ischemia after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Jens P Dreier1, Christoph Drenckhahn, Johannes Woitzik
1Charité University Medicine Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, Germany. jens.dreier@charite.de
Acta Neurochirurgica. Supplement
|August 15, 2012
Summary
Spreading depolarization (SD) causes spreading ischemia, a damaging wave of brain cell activity. This process, observed in stroke and brain injury models, leads to significant brain tissue death.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cerebrovascular Physiology
Background:
- Spreading depolarization (SD) is a wave of mass neuronal and glial depolarization.
- SD is associated with cation and water influx, potentially leading to neuronal death.
- SD alters cerebral arteriole tone, causing either hyperperfusion or hypoperfusion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the features of spreading depolarization (SD).
- To discuss spreading ischemia in the context of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH).
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental animal models replicating aSAH conditions.
- Analysis of animal models of ischemic core and penumbra.
- Examination of spreading ischemia in patients with aSAH.
Main Results:
- Spreading ischemia was experimentally induced in animal models.
- In animals, spreading ischemia resulted in widespread cortical necrosis.
- In aSAH patients, spreading ischemia correlated with ischemic lesion development.
Conclusions:
- Spreading ischemia is a significant phenomenon following brain injury.
- Understanding SD and spreading ischemia is crucial for managing conditions like aSAH.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
A hemorrhagic stroke develops when a cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to escape into the surrounding brain tissue, as in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or into the subarachnoid space, as in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Because the skull is a rigid compartment, the sudden presence of extravascular blood rapidly increases intracranial pressure and compresses adjacent neural structures, leading to immediate tissue injury and impaired cerebral perfusion.Mass Effect and Primary...
01:17Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction
A hemorrhagic stroke is an acute neurological event that occurs when a weakened cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to accumulate within or around the brain. The sudden release of blood forms a focal hematoma that increases intracranial pressure, displaces neural tissue, and can obstruct cerebrospinal fluid pathways. These effects may be compounded by intraventricular extension of the hemorrhage, cerebral edema, or compression of adjacent structures, all of which contribute to...
01:15Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
An ischemic stroke occurs when a cerebral blood vessel becomes obstructed, most often by a thrombus or embolus, interrupting the delivery of oxygen and glucose to brain tissue. Because neurons rely on continuous aerobic metabolism, energy failure begins within minutes of reduced perfusion. The region receiving the least blood flow becomes the infarct core, an area of irreversible cellular death. Surrounding this core lies the penumbra, a zone of hypoperfused but still viable tissue that is...
01:26Aneurysm III: Interprofessional Care
Aneurysm management involves either conservative medical therapy or surgical intervention, depending on the size and symptoms of the aneurysm. Conservative management is generally reserved for smaller, asymptomatic aneurysms, while larger or symptomatic aneurysms often necessitate surgical repair.Conservative Medical TherapyFor small, asymptomatic aneurysms, particularly abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) less than 5.5 centimeters in diameter, conservative medical therapy is recommended. This...
01:15Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction
Ischemic stroke is an acute cerebrovascular condition in which blood flow to a brain region is suddenly interrupted, leading to tissue infarction. Neurons depend on continuous oxygen and glucose supply, so even brief reductions in perfusion cause energy failure, ionic imbalance, and irreversible injury. Ischemic strokes are classified into thrombotic and embolic types based on their underlying mechanisms.Thrombotic MechanismsThrombotic stroke develops when a clot forms within a cerebral artery.
01:26Transient Ischemic Attack l: Introduction
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a brief episode of neurological dysfunction caused by a temporary, focal reduction in cerebral blood flow. Although symptoms resemble those of an ischemic stroke, the interruption in perfusion is short-lived and does not cause permanent infarction. TIAs are clinically important because they often serve as early warning events for future stroke.Mechanisms of Transient Cerebral IschemiaTransient cerebral ischemia may arise through several mechanisms. One...