Neuroprotective Effects of Inert Gases in Traumatic Brain Injury
Summary
The search for effective interventions to limit secondary injury following traumatic brain injury (TBI) has led to growing interest in the use of chemically inert gases as neuroprotective agents. Noble gases such as argon, xenon and helium display unique biophysical properties—most notably their capacity to modulate key cellular signalling pathways without undergoing chemical reactions in vivo. Pre-clinical studies have demonstrated that inhaled argon and xenon attenuate neuronal apoptosis, reduce oxidative stress and damp down inflammatory cascades when administered shortly after injury. These gases appear to interact with receptor systems (including N-methyl-d-aspartate and toll-like receptors) and intracellular kinases (such as PI3K/Akt and mTOR), promoting cell survival and reducing lesion volume. Advantages of inert gases include minimal systemic toxicity, rapid onset of action via inhalation and ease of titration. Together, this body of work suggests that, alongside conventional management of intracranial pressure and perfusion, gas-based therapies could form a versatile, globally deployable adjunct to improve neurological outcomes after TBI.
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Neuroprotective Effects of Inert Gases in Traumatic Brain Injury publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in neuroprotective effects of inert gases in traumatic brain injury across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Inert gases: Chemically non-reactive gases that resist forming compounds, including noble gases such as helium, argon and xenon.
Neuroprotection: Strategies or agents that preserve neuronal structure and function following injury.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI): Physical damage to the brain caused by external mechanical forces, leading to neurological impairment.
Excitotoxicity: Neuronal cell death resulting from excessive activation of excitatory amino acid receptors, often following injury.
References
- Treatment with inhaled Argon: a systematic review of pre-clinical and clinical studies with meta-analysis on neuroprotective effect. EBioMedicine (2024).
- Neuroprotection Is in the Air—Inhaled Gases on Their Way to the Neurons. Cells (2023).
- Argon: Neuroprotection in in vitro models of cerebral ischemia and traumatic brain injury. Critical Care (2009).
- The Molecular Pathway of Argon-Mediated Neuroprotection. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2016).
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