Prior work showed that intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusions of artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF), at a rate of 8 µl/ min × 10 min, elevated CSF pressure (CSFp) of conscious rats after a 2-hour delay. The rise was associated with an increased resistance to outflow and decreased intracranial compliance. When maintained by a continuous infusion of 0.25 µl/min into each lateral ventricle, CSFp recordings can be made for 24 h and a higher CSFp occurs. Here, we pretreated rats with ergonovine or dexamethasone to determine their effects on the delayed CSFp rise. Ergonovme (0.5 mg/kg i.p.) pretreatment, in a 6-hour protocol using only the 10-min infusion, slightly reduced CSFp (p < 0.05, one-tail test) but the time course of the delayed rise in CSFp was unchanged (p > 0.05). Ergonovine increased intracranial compliance (p < 0.05) 20 min after infusion when CSFp was normal, but not when CSFp was elevated at 4 h (p > 0.05). Dexamethasone (40 µg i.m.) pretreatment was tested in the 24-hour protocol. It reduced (p < 0.05) normal CSFp during the 2-hour lag after infusion and the CSFp rise was reduced (p < 0.05) for about 8 h. However, the time course and ending CSFp were unchanged (p > 0.05). Thus, prior cerebral vasoconstriction or a steroidal anti-inflammatory drug have partial efficacy in reducing CSFp, but do not prevent the unknown events that precede the delayed CSFp rise after ICV infusions.

Keywords:
Intracranial hypertension, CSF dynamics, CSF pressure, Ergonovine, Dexamethasone
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1994 S. Karger AG, Basel
1994
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.