Ischemic cerebral edema in primates: effects of acetazolamide, phenytoin, sorbitol, dexamethasone, and methylprednisolone on brain water and electrolytes.

Brain edema was induced in primates (Macaca mulatta) after regional cerebral ischemia produced by selective embolization of the internal carotid artery bifurcation. Details of the alterations in the distribution of water and electrolytes in the brain during the evolution of ischemic cerebral edema have been described elsewhere. The effects of five theoretically useful pharmacological agents were studied. Acetazolamide failed to improve ischemic edema and, rather, increased mortality. Phenytoin definitely prevented both edema and infarction in only the cerebral cortex. Sorbitol was effective to induce dehydration of the affected cortex and the normal brain tissue, with obvious reduction of the brain bulk. High dose steroids showed an ability to modify edema in the cortex, putamen, and white matter. However, animals treated with methylprednisolone rather than dexamethasone showed a better neurological recovery and smaller infarcts.