Identifying neuronal correlates of dying and resuscitation in a model of reversible brain anoxia.
Progress in neurobiology February 1, 2020 Adrien E Schramm, Antoine Carton-Leclercq, Shana Diallo et al.
Using a new rodent model of reversible brain anoxia with continuous electrocorticographic (ECoG) and intracellular recordings, the authors tracked neocortical dynamics from oxygen deprivation through recovery. Oxygen loss caused an early surge of beta-gamma activity with rhythmic membrane depolarizations in pyramidal neurons, followed by low-frequency activity declining to isoelectric levels. During the isoelectric state, a massive depolarizing shift produced a large triphasic ECoG wave known as the "wave-of-death" (WoD). If re-oxygenation occurred within 2–3.5 minutes, this anoxic depolarization reversed. The subsequent slow repolarization generated a second ECoG wave termed "wave-of-resuscitation," marking recovery of pre-anoxic activity. The WoD is not a biomarker of irremediable death; the new wave may predict successful recovery.