Physiological Mapping of the Cerebral Cortex in Neuropathology

This book covers a new concept and unique approach named “Physiological Mapping” of the cerebral cortex in the rat’s brain. The unique parameter that is used in the authors’ studies is the monitoring, in vivo and in real time, of the mitochondrial NADH redox state. In addition, the monitoring of cerebral blood flow, tissue oxygen level, extracellular potassium ion and DC potential as well as ECoG is reported. The main pathological event that was studied was cerebral ischemia that mimic the stroke developed in patients. Different models of ischemia were investigated by using the developed concept of “Physiological Mapping”. A unique chapter in the book describes and discuss an event named “Metabolic Oscillations” that developed mainly in the ischemic brain. Also the role of nitric oxide in various pathophysiological conditions such as ischemia, hypoxia, and hypercapnia are discussed. In addition to stroke, the book describes in detail the physiological mapping of the cerebral cortex in the brain exposed to epilepsy. The interaction between the epilepsy developed in the brain and partial ischemia, nitric oxide, hyperoxia and anesthesia is presented in detail. The last chapter of the book describes the effects of an animal’s age on the responses to ischemia. Also the effects of traumatic brain injury in the rat is discussed. This is an ideal book for neurologists as well as clinicians in the field of neurosurgery and anesthesiology.