Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is disrupted. This can result from a blood vessel bursting or becoming blocked. As blood is delivering oxygen to the brain, and removing waste products such as carbon dioxide, this disruption of blood flow causes damage. Brain tissue stops functioning if it is deprived of oxygen for more than 60–90 seconds. After approximately 10 minutes, injury becomes irreversible. Brain cells die due to lack of oxygen and this damage triggers a set of other processes including inflammation and the activation of immune cells.
One type of immune cell can be seen in this image — the green star-shaped cells are astrocytes. They are clustered around an inflamed blood vessel in the brain of a mouse that had been subjected to a treatment that induces stroke. The astrocytes are part of the repair process, and the researchers studying them hope to use the information from this study to improve treatment for people who suffer a stroke.
Your organisation does not have access to this article.
Sign up today to give your students the edge they need to achieve their best grades with subject expertise
Subscribe
