Hypoxia and Medicine

Anoxia and Brain damage?

Why are neurons and other brain cells more vulnerable than other cells to oxygen depravation? Is it becaue they are more sensitive to changes in pH that result from anoxia? If so , why?

Public Comments

1. Anoxia is a condition in which there is an absence of oxygen supply to an organ's tissues although there is adequate blood flow to the tissue. Anoxic Brain Injury occurs in cases of severe lack of oxygen to the brain. This usually happens when blood is unable to flow to the brain due to certain injuries or bleeding. There are three types of such injury: anemic anoxia (blood doesn’t carry enough oxygen), toxic anoxia (caused by toxins that block oxygen in the blood from being used) and anoxic anoxia (no oxygen is being supplied to the brain). The brain needs oxygen and glucose to function properly. Lack of oxygen to the brain damages cortex situated nerves where cells originate. In cardio-pulmonary arrest, loss of consciousness occurs in 10-15 seconds and irreversible brain damage happens in 5 minutes. Why brain damage? Brain uses approximately twenty percent of the body's oxygen, oxygen plays an important role in helping the brain function. That is why brain injury often results from anoxia. If oxygen cannot get to the brain, devastating effects soon follow, depleting the brain of oxygen as well as normal functioning. Neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine, dopamine and seratonin are essential to the brain's normal functioning. And when the brain does not receive enough oxygen, these neurotransmitters cannot function properly. Henve brain cells r more vulnerable than other cells.