Brain protection by local hypothermia in the acute phase of traumatic brain injury

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26670634
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Neurosurgery
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Tominaga Teiji 東北大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 教授 (00217548)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): Endo Toshiki 東北大学, 医学系研究科, 助教 (00535370) ; Saito Ryuta 東北大学, 医学系研究科, 助教 (10400243) ; Nakagawa Atsuhiro 東北大学, 病院, 助教 (10447162) ; Niizuma Kuniyasu 東北大学, 医工学研究科, 助教 (10643330) ; Sugiyama Shinichiro 東北大学, 医学系研究科, 非常勤講師 (30623152)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 脳・神経 / 頭部外傷 / 外科 / 脳低温療法

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to develop new methodology for brain protection. We used convection-enhanced delivery (CFD) to inject low-temperature fluid into damaged tissue in the acute phase of traumatic brain injury. First, we developed magnetic resonance method for real-time monitoring of fluid distribution during the continuous CFD injection. Second, we aimed the proof-of-concept study for the effect of local hypothermia on the damaged brain. In the animal models of traumatic brain injury, it was difficult to perfuse damaged brain tissue with cooling saline because of the rapid elevation of intracranial pressure just after the injury. Though hyperosmotic fluid was reported to be effective in the CFD injection into damaged brain tissue, we could not reproduce the effectiveness of heyperosmotic fluid in our experimental design. In order to make a breakthrough, we are developing the optimal fluid to perfuse the damaged brain tissue.

Free Research Field

脳神経外科学