New developments in the pharmacologic management of posttraumatic oedema

Abstract

A major risk factor contributing to increased mortality and morbidity following traumatic brain injury (TBI) is oedema formation. Recent efforts by our laboratory, and others, have concentrated on establishing the mechanisms associated with oedema formation following brain injury, and developing appropriate pharmacologic interventional therapies. Our own studies to date have shown that neurogenic inflammation is a major contributor to brain oedema formation. Attenuation of the neurogenic inflammation, either by preventing release of the neuropeptides or blocking substance P receptor binding, profoundly inhibited these events. We propose that pharmacologic intervention targeting neurogenic inflammation may be a promising strategy for the management of posttraumatic oedema.