HomeAnswersNeurologyneurotransmittersIs there any way to determine damage to neurotransmitters after a stroke?

How can damage to neurotransmitters be diagnosed after a stroke?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Divya Banu M

Published At April 23, 2019
Reviewed AtSeptember 19, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

My question is hypothetical. If one has suffered brain edema as a result of a stroke, is there any way to determine whether or not the transmitters or neurotransmitters in the brain have sustained any type of damage? Is there any test available that can ascertain this information?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com. If someone has brain edema secondary to brain injury, there is definitely a disturbance in the neurotransmitters in the brain. The only way to identify this is by a procedure called microdialysis wherein a probe is inserted into the area of the brain under consideration and the biochemical parameters analyzed. I hope this has helped you. Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for replying. Well, I am guessing that would be an outpatient procedure. I was hoping that a diagnostic test was available of some sort, such as a brain positron emission test (PET) scan, etc. Also, is there any way to repair the neurotransmitters in such a hypothetical situation? I think that if they were damaged due to edema, they would not be able to be repaired because the damage is physical. Is this correct? If so, are there any options available at all?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com. Microdialysis is not an outpatient procedure. It involves inserting a catheter in the area of the brain under study and introducing a solution wash, and analyzing the returning fluid for various parameters such as lactate. Currently, there is only one Trodat scan, which assesses dopamine deficiency in the brain in patients suspected of having Parkinson's disease. But, there is no such test for detecting brain injury due to edema. In addition, no test can determine whether or not the neurotransmitters have sustained damage. I hope this has helped you. Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Ambekar Sudheer
Dr. Ambekar Sudheer

Neurosurgery

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