Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026

Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats
Published on: March 28, 2025
Hydrocephalus after intraventricular hemorrhage: the role of thrombin
Previous studies demonstrated that thrombin is an important factor in brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage. This study investigated the effect of thrombin on hydrocephalus development in a rat intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) model. There were three parts in this study. First, male Sprague-Dawley rats had an injection of 200 μL saline, autologous blood or heparinized blood, into the right lateral ventricle. Second, rats had an injection of 50 μL saline or 3U thrombin into the right lateral ventricle. Third, rats had an injection of thrombin (3U) with a protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) antagonist, SCH79797 (0.15 nmol), or vehicle into the right lateral ventricle. Lateral ventricle volumes were measured by magnetic resonance imaging and the brains were used for immunohistochemistry and western blot analyses. Intraventricular injection of autologous blood induced hydrocephalus from day 1 to 28. Heparinized blood injection resulted in less hydrocephalus at all time points compared with blood injection alone (P<0.05). Intraventricular injection of thrombin caused significant hydrocephalus, ventricular wall damage, and periventricular blood-brain barrier disruption. Thrombin-induced hydrocephalus was reduced by co-injection of the PAR-1 antagonist SCH79797 (P<0.05). In conclusion, thrombin contributes to hydrocephalus development after IVH and thrombin-induced hydrocephalus is through PAR-1.
Previous studies demonstrated that thrombin is an important factor in brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage. This study investigated the effect of thrombin on hydrocephalus development in a rat intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) model. There were three parts in this study. First, male Sprague-Dawley rats had an injection of 200 μL saline, autologous blood or heparinized blood, into the right lateral ventricle. Second, rats had an injection of 50 μL saline or 3U thrombin into the right lateral ventricle. Third, rats had an injection of thrombin (3U) with a protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) antagonist, SCH79797 (0.15 nmol), or vehicle into the right lateral ventricle. Lateral ventricle volumes were measured by magnetic resonance imaging and the brains were used for immunohistochemistry and western blot analyses. Intraventricular injection of autologous blood induced hydrocephalus from day 1 to 28. Heparinized blood injection resulted in less hydrocephalus at all time points compared with blood injection alone (P<0.05). Intraventricular injection of thrombin caused significant hydrocephalus, ventricular wall damage, and periventricular blood-brain barrier disruption. Thrombin-induced hydrocephalus was reduced by co-injection of the PAR-1 antagonist SCH79797 (P<0.05). In conclusion, thrombin contributes to hydrocephalus development after IVH and thrombin-induced hydrocephalus is through PAR-1.
Related Concept Videos
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Venous Thrombosis I: Introduction
Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction
Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction

