The supportive role of glial cells on neuronal function and survival h
as been studied in anesthetized rats by using the selective gliotoxin
fluorocitrate. Disabling glia operation reproduced many features of is
chemic penumbra. An initial mild acidosis and increased interstitial p
otassium but not glutamate was followed after 3-4 h by repetitive spre
ading depression waves. These gradually provoked higher levels of acid
osis, potassium and glutamate, gradual neuronal function decay and fin
ally, neuron death. We conclude that neurons become highly vulnerable
to spreading depression waves only in absence of normal glia operation
. Our findings directly associate early glial disfunction to neuronal
loss and lead to new insights for the understanding of ischemic pathol
ogy.