Spreading depression following experimental head injury in the rat.

The direct current (DC) potential and electroencephalographic (EEG) changes were continuously monitored following fluid percussion head injury (brain contusion) in 10 conscious rats. Local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU) was measured by the autoradiographic [14C]deoxyglucose method. Measurement of LCGU was started at the lowest point of the first or second DC potential negative shift when it occurred, and 2 hours after contusion if no DC potential changes were observed. The DC potential did not change in four rats (Group A), whereas DC potential negative shifts together with marked suppression of EEG activity occurred at 54 +/- 6.9 minutes after injury in six rats (Group B). In Group A, LCGU was decreased nonsignificantly in both the right and left cortices. In Group B, however, LCGU in the lesioned cortex rose to 160-190% of the level observed in the contralateral cortex (p less than 0.05). The autoradiographic pattern in Group B was identical to that seen in spreading depression. These findings can contribute to the effort to better understand the pathophysiology of head injury.