Acetylcholine and experimental brain injury.

✓ Anesthetized dogs were subjected to a blow directly on the cerebral cortical surface. As measured by perfusion studies via push-pull cannulae, at the site of trauma within 20 min there was a significant increase in acetylcholine (ACh) released from the cerebral cortical cells, which rose progressively until a plateau was reached in about 1 hour. Concomitantly, ACh appeared within the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within 40 min after the injury. In addition, as monitored by the ACh liberation, the injured cells were apparently unable to respond functionally to a subcortical stimulus for several hours after the trauma. These studies support the hypothesis that ACh is released from the mechanically damaged cells, and then subsequently leaks into the CSF. The evidence suggests that a cholinergic factor may be significant in brain injury.

[1]  H. Lechner,et al.  The effect of diparcol on the electroencephalogram in the normal subject and in those with cerebral trauma. , 1955, Electroencephalography and clinical neurophysiology.

[2]  P. W. Bowman,et al.  PHS Public Health Service , 1963 .

[3]  D. B. Tower,et al.  Acetylcholine and neuronal activity; cholinesterase patterns and acetylcholine in the cerebrospinal fluids of patients with craniocerebral trauma. , 1949, Canadian journal of research.

[4]  B. Metz.  Hypercapnia and acetylcholine release from the cerebral cortex and medulla , 1966, The Journal of physiology.

[5]  E L FOLTZ,et al.  The role of the reticular formation in the coma of head injury. , 1956, Journal of neurosurgery.

[6]  R. L. Nó.  LIBERATION OF ACETYLCHOLINE BY THE SUPERIOR CERVICAL SYMPATHETIC GANGLION AND THE NODOSUM GANGLION OF THE VAGUS , 1938 .

[7]  J. Mitchell,et al.  The spontaneous and evoked release of acetylcholine from the cerebral cortex , 1963, The Journal of physiology.

[8]  W D PATON,et al.  The output of sympathetic amines from the cat's adrenal gland in response to splanchnic nerve activity , 1961, The Journal of physiology.

[9]  D. Ruge.  The use of cholinergic blocking agents in the treatment of cranio-cerebral injuries. , 1954, Journal of neurosurgery.

[10]  A. Sahar.  Free acetylcholine in the cerebrospinal fluid after brain operations. , 1966, Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry.

[11]  M. Bornstein.  Presence and action of acetylcholine in experimental brain trauma. , 1946, Journal of neurophysiology.

[12]  W. Feldberg,et al.  The acetylcholine content of the cerebro‐spinal fluid of dogs , 1936, The Journal of physiology.

[13]  R. Duvoisin,et al.  Cerebrospinal fluid acetylcholine in man , 1967, Neurology.

[14]  A. Ward.  Atropine in the treatment of closed head injury. , 1950, Journal of neurosurgery.

[15]  T. J. Case,et al.  The Physiological Basis of Concussion , 1944 .

[16]  E. Sachs,et al.  Acetylcholine and serotonin in the spinal fluid. , 1957, Journal of neurosurgery.

[17]  A. Carmon,et al.  The effect of inhaled CO2 on the electrical activity, cortical pO2 and temperature in a cerveau isolé preparation of the cat. , 1969, Journal of the neurological sciences.