Abstract
Many previous studies have reported that dexmedetomidine provides neuroprotection both in vitro and in vivo . In animal studies, dexmedetomidine has been shown to protect the brain against transient forebrain ischemia, focal ischemia, and incomplete cerebral ischemia. The antiapoptotic effect of dexmedetomidine involves apoptosis regulators such as Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase 3 and is mediated through the α2A adrenoceptor. We have previously reported that the combinations of dexmedetomidine and lidocaine and of dexmedetomidine and hypothermia provide brain protection in rats. Recently, inhalation anesthetics have been shown to have neurotoxicity and an apoptotic effect on the neonatal brain. Dexmedetomidine has been reported to reduce the neurotoxicity of isoflurane in the neonatal brain.
However, no human study has provided evidence of these neuroprotective effects. Since dexmedetomidine can be used to provide sedation in clinical settings and has been shown to protect against stroke in animal studies, it can be expected to protect against stroke in humans as well. We believe that dexmedetomidine would provide many advantages in clinical settings.
