Calcitonin gene-related peptide reduces brain injury in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia

Abstract

Background and Purpose Calcitonin gene-related peptide is an endogenous vasodilating neuropeptide with a dense concentration in the trigeminocerebrovascular system. It is hypothesized that depletion of this peptide contributes to delayed cerebral ischemia after subarachnoid hemorrhage and that an exogenous supply of calcitonin gene-related peptide will augment ischemic cerebral blood flow and reduce neuronal injury. Methods In this study we have investigated the effect of an intravenous infusion of calcitonin gene-related peptide. © 1994 American Heart Association, Inc.