Disruption of ion homeostasis in the neurogliovascular unit underlies the pathogenesis of ischemic cerebral edema.

ABSTRACT: Cerebral edema is a major cause of morbidity and mortality following ischemic stroke, but its underlying molecular pathophysiology is incompletely understood. Recent data have revealed the importance of ion flux via channels and transporters expressed in the neurogliovascular unit in the development of ischemia-triggered cytotoxic edema, vasogenic edema, and hemorrhagic conversion. Disruption of homeostatic mechanisms governing cell volume regulation and epithelial/endothelial ion transport due to ischemia-associated energy failure results in the thermodynamically driven re-equilibration of solutes and water across the CSF-blood and blood-brain barriers that ultimately increases the brain's extravascular volume. Additionally, hypoxia, inflammation, and other stress-triggered increases in t

SUBMITTER: Khanna A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3946359 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature