Exp Neurobiol.  2014 Jun;23(2):115-123. 10.5607/en.2014.23.2.115.

Delayed and Prolonged Local Brain Hypothermia Combined with Decompressive Craniectomy: A Novel Therapeutic Strategy That Modulates Glial Dynamics

• Kim JH
• Yun SH
• Jang KH
• Park J
• Han HS
• Rhee D
• Suk K

• KMID: 2165511
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5607/en.2014.23.2.115

Abstract

Hypothermia is considered a useful intervention for limiting pathophysiological changes after brain injury. Local hypothermia is a relatively safe and convenient intervention that circumvents many of the complications associated with systemic hypothermia. However, successful hypothermia treatment requires careful consideration of several factors including its practicality, feasibility, and associated risks. Here, we review the protective effects-and the cellular mechanisms that underlie them-of delayed and prolonged local hypothermia in rodent and canine brain injury models. The data show that the protective effects of therapeutic hypothermia, which mainly result from the modulation of inflammatory glial dynamics, are limited. We argue that decompressive craniectomy can be used to overcome the limitations of local brain hypothermia without causing histological abnormalities or other detrimental effects to the cooled area. Therefore, delayed and prolonged local brain hypothermia at the site of craniectomy is a promising intervention that may prove effective in the clinical setting.

Keyword

hypothermia; stroke; traumatic brain injury; astrocyte; microglia; neuroinflammation

MeSH Terms

Astrocytes
Brain Injuries
Brain*
Decompressive Craniectomy*
Hypothermia*
Microglia
Rodentia
Stroke