Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 2000
Comparative StudyComparison of the effects of melatonin and methylprednisolone in experimental spinal cord injury.
Melatonin is a very effective antioxidant agent. This study was performed to investigate the effects of melatonin in experimental spinal cord injury (SCI). The authors also compared its effects with those of methylprednisolone, which also protects the spinal cord from secondary injury because of its antioxidant effect on membrane lipids. ⋯ Both melatonin and methylprednisolone have been shown to protect neuron, axon, myelin, and intracellular organelles including mitochondrion and nucleus. However, this study provides quantitative evidence that this protection of neurons and subcellular organelles of spinal cord after secondary injury is much more obvious in melatonin-treated rats than those treated with methylprednisolone. In view of these data, melatonin has been shown to be very effective in protecting the injured spinal cord from secondary injury.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jul 2000
Effects of cervical spinal cord stimulation on cerebral blood flow in the rat.
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is frequently used for the treatment of chronic pain. Although the mechanisms by which SCS alleviates pain are unclear, they are believed to involve changes within the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Spinal cord stimulation has also been found to cause significant vasodilation in the peripheral vasculature. The mechanisms underlying this effect are thought to involve sympathetic blockade. A rostral vasodilatory effect has also been described, but changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) have been poorly delineated. Using laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF), the authors examined the effects of cervical SCS on CBF in rats. ⋯ These results indicate that cervical SCS may induce cerebral vasodilation and that this effect may involve indirect effects on vasomotor centers in the brainstem as well as an alteration in sympathetic tone.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Jun 2000
Pathophysiology of long-standing overt ventriculomegaly in adults.
Long-standing overt ventriculomegaly in adults (LOVA) is a unique form of hydrocephalus that develops during childhood and manifests symptoms during adulthood. The aim of the present study was to analyze the specific pathophysiological characteristics of LOVA. ⋯ Such remarkably decreased intracranial compliance but relatively high ICP dynamics are the pathophysiological characteristics of LOVA. The therapeutic regimen should be determined based on the individual's specific pathophysiological makeup.