The newly identified LRRC8A-protein is essential for volume regulation and homeostasis in the brain

What is it about?

Cerebral edema is a highly common pathophysiological entity which is encountered in many clinical emergencies conditions, such as stroke. In 2010, worldwide prevalence of stroke was 33 million, being the second-leading global cause of death behind heart disease, accounting for 11.13% of total deaths worldwide. By definition cerebral edema is the excess accumulation of water in the intra-and/or extracellular spaces of the brain. Beside its highly incidence there is no efficient cure. Uncovering mechanisms underpinning edema might be relevant for its therapy and for patients outcome from pathologies such as ischemia and stroke. Here we reported on the role of a molecular player in the volume and water equilibrium in the brain. This protein is called LRRC8A. Here we discover that LRRC8A is responsible for mechanism involved in the regulation of water and ion fluxes in the brain. Our result set the scene for new therapeutic approaches targeted to recovery of equilibrium of water and ion in pathophysiological condition causing brain edema

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