A study published on Science Direct They show the exact workings of what they call a “death wave”. To fully understand what it is, here’s what the researchers observed. When the brain is deprived of oxygen, they initially notice a decrease in electrical activity.
Nothing surprising so far. After all, don’t we say that death is characterized by a “flat electroencephalogram”? After a certain time, however, electrical waves originating from the deeper layers of the brain cause a sudden and momentary burst. Which is actually a sort of electrical wave prelude to shutting down all cerebral activity.
What is a “death wave” and why is this discovery important?
When resuscitation occurs in time, another similar “wave” of higher amplitude causes a gradual resumption of activity. This is what scientists call a “resurgence wave”. Dead neurons are reactivated. This finding suggests that brain death is a more complex phenomenon than previously thought.
And above all it is potentially reversible. Furthermore, the researchers now understand the starting point of this wave: the depolarization of pyramidal neurons buried in the neocortex – which they were able to test experimentally by injecting an inhibitor, as they explain in their scientific paper.
And it is this element that alone brings so much hope. Indeed, if a molecule or mechanism were discovered to control this depolarization, known as anoxic depolarization, or to repolarize these neurons, it could usher in a revolution in resuscitation. Just enough to give yourself more time to avoid brain death and the potentially permanent effects that can result from suffocation of parts of the neurons.
Researchers point out that despite its size, the brain is the organ that consumes the most oxygen – between 20-25% of this vital element is transported by red blood cells. It is therefore the organ most dependent on oxygen and for which any asphyxiation can quickly become irreversible with current resuscitation methods.
Of course, the topic is complex – and we can only encourage the most curious of you to read the full study by following the link in the source of this article to learn more!
- Researchers say they have observed a “death wave” in the brain for the first time.
- A phenomenon that begins during the suffocation of neurons by the deep layers of the brain, ends the last moments of the life of this organ before its certain death.
- However, researchers have also discovered new ways to slow the occurrence of the “wave of revival” as well as this wave of death.
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