Abstracts Category : Other

Add abstract

Want to add your dissertation abstract to this database? It only takes a minute!

Search abstract

Search for abstracts by subject, author or institution

Share this abstract

dissertation.com
on Facebook

Electromagnetic interventions as a therapeutic approach to spreading depression

by Vamsee Reddy

Institution:	Boston University
Department:
Degree:
Year:	2017
Keywords:	Neurosciences; Cortical spreading depression; Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation; Spreading depression; Transcranial direct current stimulation; Transcranial magnetic stimulation
Posted:	2/1/2018 12:00:00 AM
Record ID:	2176265
Full text PDF:	http://hdl.handle.net/2144/23842

Abstract

Spreading depression (SD) is a slow propagating wave of depolarization that can spread throughout the cortex in the event of brain injury or any general energy failure of the brain. Massive cellular depolarization causes enormous ionic and water shifts and silences synaptic transmission in the affected tissue. Large amounts of energy are required to restore ionic gradients and are not always met. When these energetic demands are not met, brain tissue damage can occur. The exact mechanism behind initiation and propagation of SD are unknown, but a general model is known. It may be possible to prevent or delay the onset of SD using non-invasive electromagnetic techniques. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), electrical stimulation (ES), and transcranial direct coupled stimulation (tDCS) could be used to decrease neuronal excitability in different ways. In theory, any technique that can reduce cortical excitability could suppress SD initiating or propagating.