Lipid composition and nitrogen solubility of the spinal cord and brain: comparisons between diving and terrestrial mammals to provide insight into Type II DCS
Abstract
We are interested in determining whether animals routinely adapted for diving might suffer from Type II DCS (decompression sickness). Type II DCS is a severe form of decompression sickness in which bubble formation due to rapid efflux of gas from tissuesoccurs in" the spinal cord. Type II DCS can have serious implications for human divers, including loss of limb function, loss of lower body se""nsation, inability to walk, or loss of bladder and gastro intestinal control; all of these conditions can be permanent. There is alr""eady evidence that marine mammals show symptoms of more common (non-CNS) decompression sickness, as gas and fat emboli have been fou"nd in the organs andacoustic fats of beaked whales that stranded in association with naval sonar activities ~these have been described as being consistent with acute DCS. Therefore despite adaptations to reduce the interaction between the blood stream and other t"issues (alveolar collapse, reduced peripheral circulation) during a dive, and during the vulnerable ascent phase when pressure is de""creasing and gas may come out of solution, marine mammals are vulnerable to bubble formation. However nothing is known about whether" they may also be susceptible to Type II DCS.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 29, 2017
- Source ID
- N000141712997
Entities
People
- Heather N Koopman
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of North Carolina Wilmington