Focal cerebral ischemia

Focal cerebral ischemia is a medical condition in which there is a lack of blood flow to a specific part of the brain, resulting in tissue damage and neurological deficits. It is usually caused by a blockage or obstruction in a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain, such as a blood clot or atherosclerosis.

The symptoms of focal cerebral ischemia can vary depending on the location and severity of the blockage, but can include weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, vision problems, confusion, and loss of consciousness. Treatment for focal cerebral ischemia typically involves restoring blood flow to the affected area of the brain as quickly as possible, either through medications or procedures such as thrombectomy or angioplasty. Rehabilitation and ongoing care may also be necessary to help patients recover from the damage caused by the ischemic episode.

Spreading depolarizations (SDs) induced noninvasively using optogenetics do not worsen tissue outcomes. The findings compel a careful reexamination of the notion that SDs are causally linked to infarct expansion ¹⁾