Recent advances in mechanisms of spreading depression

Abstract

Although spreading depression has been known for over 50 years, recent research into this interesting experimental phenomenon provides evidence for an integrative role of spreading depression in brain pathophysiology. Spreading depression activates neurophysiological pathways that may have widespread consequences on brain function, but depends on the basal energy state of the brain. Curr Opin Neurol 11:227–231. © 1998 Lippincott–Raven Publishers