CEREBRAL EDEMA DUE TO TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND ROLE OF NOVEL TARGETED THERAPIES

Abstract

Cerebral edema is the accumulation of water in intracellular and interstitial brain tissue due to some neurological pathology. There are three principle mechanisms for cerebral edema: Cytotoxic edema, Vasogenic edema, Hydrostatic edema. There are multiple options available for treating cerebral edema including: medical management and surgical management. But none of the current treatment modalities address the underlying pathogenetic mechanism. So, targeted therapies are need of the hour. It may include NKCC1 antagonists, aquaporin inhibitors, Sur1-Trpm4 channel inhibitors, NHE inhibitors and VEGF inhibitors; which are in different stages of development. But, there are very few human trials that are conducted to assess the role of these pharmacologic agents in cerebral edema due to traumatic brain injury