Spreading Depression

Mechanisms of spreading depression and hypoxic spreading depression-like depolarization.

Spreading depression (SD) and the related hypoxic SD-like depolarization (HSD) are characterized by rapid and nearly complete depolarization of a sizable population of brain cells with massive redistribution of ions between intracellular and extracellular compartments, that evolves as a regenerative, "all-or-none" type process, and propagates slowly as a wave in brain tissue. This article revie...

Spreading Depression of Leao

PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS The spreading depression of Lefio has been well estabhshed as a reproducible reaction m the hssencephahc rabbat (Lefio 1944a b 1947 1945) The reaction can be initiated by weak mechamcal or electrical stamulat~on apphed to the surface of the pm-arachno~d membranes or ~t can also be mttmted by mtense neuronal activity It conststs of a slowly expanding wave of depression...

The spreading depression theory

The characteristic form and development of sensory disturbances during migraine auras suggests that the underlying mechanism is a disturbance of the cerebral cortex, probably the cortical spreading depression (CSD) of Leio. The demonstration of unique changes of brain blood flow during attacks of migraine with aura, which have been replicated in animal experiments during CSD, constitutes anothe...

Editorial Commentarv Spreading depression

In a well-designed study, Piper et al. demonstrate that the induction of a cortical spreading depression (SD) by a stab wound to the cortex of the cat is dependent on the anesthetic employed. Isoflurane and halothane, commonly used volatile anesthetics in humans, inhibit SD. In contrast, a-chloralose, an injectable anesthetic, permits the induction of SD. The authors suggest that failure to obs...

Spreading depression and neurovascular coupling.