Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 18, 2026
Combining Imaging and Electrophysiology to Visualize and Record Spreading Depolarizations in Mice
Published on: October 4, 2024
Cytoarchitecture-Dependent Decrease in Propagation Velocity of Cortical Spreading Depression in the Rat Insular
Satoshi Fujita1,2, Naoko Mizoguchi1,3, Ryuhei Aoki1,4
1Department of Pharmacology, Dental Research Center, Nihon University School of Dentistry, 1-8-13 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-8310, Japan.
Cortical spreading depression (SD) velocity varies across brain regions due to astrocyte density. This study reveals that differences in astrocyte distribution influence SD propagation speed in the cerebral cortex.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cellular Biology
- Neurophysiology
Background:
- Cortical spreading depression (SD) involves ionic shifts and extracellular environment disturbances.
- Astrocytes are crucial for maintaining ionic homeostasis and regulating the extracellular environment.
- SD propagation may be influenced by regional variations in astrocyte density within the cerebral cortex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between astrocyte density and the velocity of cortical spreading depression (SD) propagation.
- To examine the profile of SD propagation across different cortical regions, specifically the insular cortex (IC).
Main Methods:
- Measurement of SD propagation velocity in different cortical areas.
- Immunohistological analysis of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) to assess astrocyte distribution.
- Comparison of SD velocity in neocortical and paleocortical regions, including the IC.
Main Results:
- SD propagation velocity was significantly higher in the neocortex (5.7 mm/min) compared to the paleocortex (2.8 mm/min).
- A lower density of astrocytes was observed in the somatosensory cortex and dorsal IC, correlating with faster SD.
- Higher astrocyte density in the ventral IC correlated with slower SD propagation; thick vessels also impeded SD.
- SD propagation velocity was higher in the neocortex (5.7 mm/min) compared to the paleocortex (2.8 mm/min).
- Immunohistochemistry revealed sparse astrocytes in the somatosensory cortex and dorsal IC, and denser astrocytes in the ventral IC.
Conclusions:
- Cortical cytoarchitectonic features, particularly astrocyte distribution, play a critical role in regulating SD propagation velocity.
- Regional differences in astrocyte density contribute to the observed variations in SD speed across the cerebral cortex.
- Understanding astrocyte-SD interactions is vital for comprehending cortical excitability and potential therapeutic targets.
More Related Videos
09:48Neural Activity Propagation in an Unfolded Hippocampal Preparation with a Penetrating Micro-electrode Array
Published on: March 27, 2015
09:08In Vivo Fiber-Coupled Pre-Clinical Confocal Laser-scanning Endomicroscopy pCLE of Hippocampal Capillaries in Awake Mice
Published on: April 21, 2023