Effects of ischemia on the oxygen diffusion coefficients in the brain cortex (studies on Macaca irus)

In this series of experiments changes in oxygen diffusion coefficients were measured in waking primates undergoing focal middle cerebral artery ischemia; Ligation of the middle cerebral artery followed by a decrease of the oxygen diffusion coefficient in the areas supplied by that vessel to levels ten to twenty per cent below normal by twenty-five minutes following onset of ischemia. Following release and re-perfusion diffusion coefficient gradually increases and reaches a super normal peak value three hours after release of ligation. This is followed by a gradual reduction in diffusion coefficient with stabilization at preocclusion levels. In the three experiments described these changes following re-perfusion corresponded with clinical improvement of the neurological status of the monkeys;