Article: Restoration of brain circulation and cellular functions hours post-mortem
Here, we describe the restoration and maintenance of microcirculation and molecular and cellular functions of the intact pig brain under ex vivo normothermic conditions up to four hours post-mortem. We have developed an extracorporeal pulsatile-perfusion system and a haemoglobin-based, acellular, non-coagulative, echogenic, and cytoprotective perfusate that promotes recovery from anoxia, reduces reperfusion injury, prevents oedema, and metabolically supports the energy requirements of the brain. With this system, we observed preservation of cytoarchitecture; attenuation of cell death; and restoration of vascular dilatory and glial inflammatory responses, spontaneous synaptic activity, and active cerebral metabolism in the absence of global electrocorticographic activity. These findings demonstrate that under appropriate conditions the isolated, intact large mammalian brain possesses an underappreciated capacity for restoration of microcirculation and molecular and cellular activity after a prolonged post-mortem interval.
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This is the continuation of the Yale (Sestan) experiments reported last year and going on for at least 5 years using their BrainEx system (does anyone have a good picture?)
In the next few days you will (hopefully!) get a lot of comments on the "ethical implications" of these "frankenstein experiments".
If they appear elsewhere on LC, I'll attempt to merge them here.
