Brain elastic behavior in experimental brain compression: influence of steroid therapy

In chronically prepared dogs we studied the influence of large doses of steroids on experimentally increased brain stiffness. The latter was quantified by measuring brain elastic response, in terms of the (instantaneous) initial tangent, Go (mm Hg/mm). After epidurally induced brain compression (45 min), Go increased and remained elevated in spite of steroid therapy. The data suggest that steroids are ineffective in congestive hyperemia consequent to ischemic compression.