Intracranial pressure increase and changes in microcirculation of the pial and iridial vessels in correlation to EEG, ECG, and arterial blood pressure

Abstract

Controlled intracranial pressure increase was produced in 120 female albino rats by infusing homologous blood and saline solution into the cisterna magna. The behaviour of the brain current, cardiovascular system, and microcirculation of the iridial and pial vessels immediately after pressure increase was examined simultaneously. A direct correlation could be demonstrated between the decrease in brain electrical potentials and the intracranial pressure applied at a time of maximal cardiovascular stimulation. Different pathological mechanisms have been put forward, one of these being identified as pial arteriolospams. Acting together with other factors these spasms might be responsible for the rapid drop in electrical activity of the brain current potentials. © 1975.