title: Characterization of cortical spreading depression by imaging of intrinsic optical signals.
abstract: The spatiotemporal progression of cortical spreading depression was investigated by imaging of activity-dependent intrinsic optical signals in rat sensorimotor cortex. In contrast to the traditional conception of a uniformly propagating event, the evolution of the spreading depression was characterized by an asymmetrical propagating wavefront and a non-uniform dispersion of optical signals behind the wavefront. As these optical signals are a reflection of underlying molecular and metabolic processes, the imaging approach to spreading depression might constitute a useful technique for investigating the functional organization as well the pathophysiology of the cerebral cortex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Tsang
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Lenz
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Kwan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar