Adaptation of the Brain to Hyponatremia and Its Clinical Implications
Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder, occurring in up to 25% of hospitalized patients. Hypo-osmotic hyponatremia when severe and left untreated invariably results in cell swelling, which can lead to fatal consequences, especially in the central nervous system. The brain is particular...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/5/1714 |
| _version_ | 1797615107324248064 |
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| author | Fabrice Gankam Kengne |
| author_facet | Fabrice Gankam Kengne |
| author_sort | Fabrice Gankam Kengne |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder, occurring in up to 25% of hospitalized patients. Hypo-osmotic hyponatremia when severe and left untreated invariably results in cell swelling, which can lead to fatal consequences, especially in the central nervous system. The brain is particularly vulnerable to the consequences of decreased extracellular osmolarity; because of being encased in the rigid skull, it cannot withstand persistent swelling. Moreover, serum sodium is the major determinant of extracellular ionic balance, which in turn governs crucial brain functions such as the excitability of neurons. For these reasons, the human brain has developed specific ways to adapt to hyponatremia and prevent brain edema. On the other hand, it is well known that rapid correction of chronic and severe hyponatremia can lead to brain demyelination, a condition known as osmotic demyelination syndrome. In this paper, we will discuss the mechanisms of brain adaptation to acute and chronic hyponatremia and the neurological symptoms of these conditions as well as the pathophysiology and prevention of osmotic demyelination syndrome. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:21:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ace95eb3572a4d0eac5f7111d734f26c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-0383 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:21:49Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Clinical Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-ace95eb3572a4d0eac5f7111d734f26c2023-11-17T07:57:20ZengMDPI AGJournal of Clinical Medicine2077-03832023-02-01125171410.3390/jcm12051714Adaptation of the Brain to Hyponatremia and Its Clinical ImplicationsFabrice Gankam Kengne0Nephrology Division, EpiCURA Hospital, Rue Maria Thomée 1, 7800 Ath, BelgiumHyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder, occurring in up to 25% of hospitalized patients. Hypo-osmotic hyponatremia when severe and left untreated invariably results in cell swelling, which can lead to fatal consequences, especially in the central nervous system. The brain is particularly vulnerable to the consequences of decreased extracellular osmolarity; because of being encased in the rigid skull, it cannot withstand persistent swelling. Moreover, serum sodium is the major determinant of extracellular ionic balance, which in turn governs crucial brain functions such as the excitability of neurons. For these reasons, the human brain has developed specific ways to adapt to hyponatremia and prevent brain edema. On the other hand, it is well known that rapid correction of chronic and severe hyponatremia can lead to brain demyelination, a condition known as osmotic demyelination syndrome. In this paper, we will discuss the mechanisms of brain adaptation to acute and chronic hyponatremia and the neurological symptoms of these conditions as well as the pathophysiology and prevention of osmotic demyelination syndrome.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/5/1714hyponatremiaosmolarityosmotic demyelinationbrainastrocytes |
| spellingShingle | Fabrice Gankam Kengne Adaptation of the Brain to Hyponatremia and Its Clinical Implications Journal of Clinical Medicine hyponatremia osmolarity osmotic demyelination brain astrocytes |
| title | Adaptation of the Brain to Hyponatremia and Its Clinical Implications |
| title_full | Adaptation of the Brain to Hyponatremia and Its Clinical Implications |
| title_fullStr | Adaptation of the Brain to Hyponatremia and Its Clinical Implications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Adaptation of the Brain to Hyponatremia and Its Clinical Implications |
| title_short | Adaptation of the Brain to Hyponatremia and Its Clinical Implications |
| title_sort | adaptation of the brain to hyponatremia and its clinical implications |
| topic | hyponatremia osmolarity osmotic demyelination brain astrocytes |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/5/1714 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT fabricegankamkengne adaptationofthebraintohyponatremiaanditsclinicalimplications |