Mechanical brain injury: the sympathoadrenal response

J Neurosurg. 1984 Jul;61(1):76-86. doi: 10.3171/jns.1984.61.1.0076.

Abstract

Catecholamine release was studied in cats as a function of injury severity in the fluid-percussion model of brain injury. Hyperglycemia was also studied as a function of catecholamine response and injury severity. Epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) increased as a function of injury. This increase was maximal at about a 3.0-atmosphere (atm) injury level and amounted to a 500-fold increase for E and 100-fold increase for NE. Both catecholamines increased maximally by 10 seconds postinjury. Glucose increased to about 350% of baseline at 500 seconds postinjury and also increased as a function of injury severity. Results suggested that the sympathoadrenal discharge was capable of a graded response which was maximal at about 3.0 atm. Associated with this increase were hypertensin, bradyarrhythmias, tachyarrhythmias, and hyperglycemia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Glands / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / metabolism
  • Blood Glucose / analysis
  • Blood Pressure
  • Brain Injuries / metabolism*
  • Cats
  • Epinephrine / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Hypotension / metabolism
  • Male
  • Models, Neurological
  • Norepinephrine / metabolism*
  • Sympathetic Nervous System / metabolism

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Norepinephrine
  • Epinephrine