Preemptive Medicine for Cerebral Aneurysms

• Published in: Neurologia medico-chirurgica Vol. 56; no. 9; pp. 552 - 568
• Main Authors: AOKI, Tomohiro, NOZAKI, Kazuhiko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan The Japan Neurosurgical Society 01.01.2016
• Subjects: cerebral aneurysm; Humans; Intracranial Aneurysm - diagnosis; Intracranial Aneurysm - etiology; Intracranial Aneurysm - prevention & control; Original; pathogenesis; preemptive medicine; prevention
• ISSN: 0470-8105; 1349-8029
• DOI: 10.2176/nmc.st.2016-0063

Most of cerebral aneurysms (CAs) are incidentally discovered without any neurological symptoms and the risk of rupture of CAs is relatively higher in Japanese population. The goal of treatments for patients with CAs is complete exclusion of the aneurysmal rupture risk for their lives. Since two currently available major treatments, microsurgical clipping and endovascular coiling, have inherent incompleteness to achieve cure of CAs with some considerable treatment risks, and there is no effective surgical or medical intervention to inhibit the formation of CAs in patients with ruptured and unruptured CAs, new treatment strategies with lower risk and higher efficacy should be developed to prevent the formation, growth, and rupture of CAs. Preemptive medicine for CAs should be designed to prevent or delay the onset of symptoms from CAs found in an asymptomatic state or inhibit the de novo formation of CAs, but we have no definite methods to distinguish rupture-prone aneurysms from rupture-resistant ones. Recent advancements in the research of CAs have provided us with some clues, and one of the new treatment strategies for CAs will be developed based on the findings that several inflammatory pathways may be involved in the formation, growth, and rupture of CAs. Preemptive medicine for CAs will be established with specific biomarkers and imaging modalities which can sensor the development of CAs.