Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 21, 2026

Complete and Partial Aortic Occlusion for the Treatment of Hemorrhagic Shock in Swine
Published on: August 24, 2018
Valproic Acid treatment after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage
Michael K Tso1, Elliot Lass, Jinglu Ai
1Division of Neurosurgery, Labatt Family Centre of Excellence in Brain Injury and Trauma Research, Keenan Research Centre of the Li KaShing Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond St., Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8, Canada.
Valproic acid (VPA) demonstrated neuroprotective effects in a mouse model of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). VPA improved neurological function and reduced brain injury, suggesting its potential therapeutic benefit for SAH patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) frequently causes significant brain injury.
- Valproic acid (VPA), an established anti-epileptic drug, was explored for its neuroprotective potential in SAH.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroprotective efficacy of Valproic acid (VPA) in a mouse model of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).
Main Methods:
- Mice were subjected to SAH or sham procedures and treated with VPA (400 mg/kg) or saline.
- Neurobehavioral assessments (modified Garcia Score) and histological analyses (Fluoro-Jade B, Caspase-3/NeuN, H&E) were performed at 24 and 48 hours post-SAH.
- VPA was administered within 30 minutes of SAH induction and every 12 hours for 48 hours.
Main Results:
- VPA treatment significantly improved neurobehavioral scores in SAH mice at 24 and 48 hours.
- Histological examination revealed a significant reduction in degenerating neurons (Fluoro-Jade B) in VPA-treated SAH mice.
- A trend towards decreased apoptotic neurons (Caspase-3/NeuN) was observed, while VPA did not significantly impact vasospasm.
Conclusions:
- Valproic acid (VPA) administration improves neurological outcomes and mitigates brain injury in a preclinical model of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).
- These findings support VPA as a potential therapeutic agent for managing brain injury following SAH.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction

