Neuronal Activity Determined by Quantitative EEG and Cortical Microdialysis is Increased Following Controlled Cortical Impact Injury in Rats

Following brain injury increased glutamate release is linked to sustained neuronal activation resulting in excitotoxic tissue damage. Isoflurane anesthesia has been shown to decrease electroencephalo-graphic (EEG) activity and extracellular (e.c.) glutamate, possibly attenuating excitotoxic tissue damage. However, based on clinical experience EEG activity can fluctuate despite stable isoflurane concentrations. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate the impact of neuronal activity assessed by quantitative EEG on e.c. glutamate during isoflurane anesthesia following controlled cortical impact injury (CCII).