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Functional ablation by spreading depression: possible use in human stereotactic neurosurgery
Applied Neurophysiology
|January 1, 1977
Summary
Spreading depression (SD) of EEG activity was induced in human brain surgery patients. This technique shows potential as a diagnostic tool in neurosurgery.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurosurgery
- Epilepsy Research
Background:
- Spreading depression (SD) is a wave of intense neuronal and glial depolarization.
- Understanding SD in humans is crucial for neurosurgical applications.
- Focal epilepsy patients undergoing surgery provide a unique context for studying human brain activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the elicitation and characteristics of Spreading Depression (SD) in the human brain during stereotactic surgery.
- To evaluate the potential of SD as a diagnostic tool in neurosurgical procedures.
- To compare human SD parameters with those observed in lower mammals.
Main Methods:
- Microinjection of 5% potassium chloride (5 microliters) into the caudate nucleus or hippocampus.
- Utilized a specialized electrode-cannula assembly for eliciting and recording SD slow potential waves.
- Performed during stereotactic brain surgery in patients with focal epilepsy.
Main Results:
- Successfully elicited Spreading Depression (SD) of EEG activity in human subjects.
- Observed parameters of human SD to be similar to those documented in lower mammals.
- Demonstrated the feasibility of recording SD slow potential waves in the human brain.
Conclusions:
- Spreading depression (SD) can be reliably elicited and recorded in the human brain.
- The parameters of SD in humans resemble those in animal models.
- Functional ablation via SD presents a viable diagnostic method for neurosurgery.