Effects of Dexamethasone on Physical and Biochemical Properties of the Normal Non-Edematous Brain

Vasogenic brain edema associated with brain tumor or brain abscess responds well to steroid treatment. However, in the management of edema due to ischemia or trauma, the efficiency of glucosteroid therapy declines. Therefore, the mechanisms involved in the steroid therapy of tumor or abscess must differ from those involved in the treatment of ischemia or trauma. To improve the treatment of ischemic or traumatic brain edema, e.g. by supplementary measures supporting the glucocorticoid effect, it is necessary to know the pathophysiological mechanisms and pathways concerned in the steroid management of brain edema. Yet it is a common experience that the evaluation of pathophysiological pathways is often helped by the investigation of the normal physiological background. Surprisingly, the only investigations of which we are aware involve steroid effects under pathological conditions. The task, therefore, is to estimate the effect of glucocorticoids in normal brain tissue by taking into consideration physical and biochemical factors.