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Restoration of brain circulation and cellular functions hours post-mortem
Zvonimir Vrselja1,2, Stefano G Daniele1,2,3, John Silbereis1,2
1Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
Nature
|April 19, 2019
Summary
Researchers restored brain function in pigs hours after death using a novel perfusion system. This breakthrough demonstrates the brain
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Mammalian brains are highly susceptible to blood flow and oxygen deprivation.
- Maintaining brain function post-mortem presents significant challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To restore and maintain microcirculation and cellular functions in an ex vivo mammalian brain.
- To investigate the brain's capacity for recovery after a post-mortem interval.
Main Methods:
- Development of an extracorporeal pulsatile-perfusion system.
- Utilized a specialized hemoglobin-based, acellular perfusate.
- Maintained normothermic conditions for up to four hours post-mortem.
Main Results:
- Successfully restored microcirculation and molecular/cellular functions.
- Observed preservation of cytoarchitecture and attenuated cell death.
- Demonstrated restoration of synaptic activity and cerebral metabolism.
Conclusions:
- The isolated mammalian brain has a significant capacity for functional restoration post-mortem.
- The developed system effectively supports brain energy requirements and prevents injury.
- This research opens new avenues for understanding and potentially treating brain conditions.
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