Diving into the Waves: Mechanisms and Consequences of Spreading Depolarizations

Spreading depolarizations (SDs) are self-propagating waves of synchronous, near-complete depolarization that erupt in the brain, bioenergetically burdening the tissue, and altering neural structure and function. SDs occur across a continuum of conditions, from migraine with aura (cortical spreading depression) to injury states such as stroke and traumatic brain injury, where they can exacerbate tissue damage. As such, SDs associated with different pathologies may recruit distinct mechanisms that influence their initiation and propagation, which remain poorly understood across the continuum. In addition, SDs can trigger a range of far-reaching network effects—from neuronal injury and parenchymal inflammatory cascades to altered trigeminal nociception and sensory mapping—raising unresolved questions about how SDs drive consequences ranging from neuronal injury to network plasticity across different brain states.Although research has gained momentum following convincing evidence that SDs occur in the human brain across multiple neurological diseases, precise mechanistic studies using the latest genetic, biophysical, and imaging tools still require greater promotion and support. Our goal is to feature research that elucidates distinct mechanisms underlying the initiation and/or propagation of SD in models spanning diverse neurological conditions. We also aim to promote research that investigates the long-term effects of SDs on brain networks and the underlying molecular, cellular, and hemodynamic mechanisms. Through this collection, we aim to collate research exploring diverse facets of SD-related mechanisms that are clinically relevant to human disease. Research articles investigating the mechanisms underlying the initiation and propagation of SD waves, as well as their long-term effects on brain networks, are well suited for this collection. We encourage submissions with robust, substantive data relevant to the topic—even if the results are negative or considered immediately less impactful. We also welcome interdisciplinary studies, including clinical research, preclinical animal models, and computational approaches, to promote a multifaceted understanding of the field.Subtopics of interest include, but are not limited to:• Mechanisms of spreading depolarization initiation, propagation, and recovery, including ionic, synaptic, cellular, bioenergetic, and computational studies• Neurovascular, metabolic, and hemodynamic responses to spreading depolarization, including cerebral perfusion, tissue oxygenation, neurovascular coupling, and multimodal measurement• Neuroinflammatory and neuron–glia mechanisms, including astrocytic, microglial, and inflammatory signaling associated with spreading depolarization• Sensory, nociceptive, and long-term network consequences, including trigeminovascular activation, migraine aura, sensory processing, synaptic plasticity, and circuit remodeling• Spreading depolarization across neurological conditions and experimental models, including migraine, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other clinically relevant brain states Topic editors: Pratyush Suryavanshi, Britta Lindquist, Katelyn Reinhart, KC Brennan, Bill Shuttleworth Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79955/diving-into-the-waves-mechanisms-and-consequences-of-spreading-depolarizations