@article{GolombeckWessigMonoranuetal.2013, author = {Golombeck, Stefanie Kristin and Wessig, Carsten and Monoranu, Camelia-Maria and Sch{\"u}tz, Ansgar and Solymosi, Laszlo and Melzer, Nico and Kleinschnitz, Christoph}, title = {Fatal atypical reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome: a case report}, series = {Journal of Medical Case Reports}, volume = {7}, journal = {Journal of Medical Case Reports}, number = {14}, doi = {10.1186/1752-1947-7-14}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-135517}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Introduction: Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome - a reversible subacute global encephalopathy clinically presenting with headache, altered mental status, visual symptoms such as hemianopsia or cortical blindness, motor symptoms, and focal or generalized seizures - is characterized by a subcortical vasogenic edema symmetrically affecting posterior brain regions. Complete reversibility of both clinical signs and magnetic resonance imaging lesions is regarded as a defining feature of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome. Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome is almost exclusively seen in the setting of a predisposing clinical condition, such as pre-eclampsia, systemic infections, sepsis and shock, certain autoimmune diseases, various malignancies and cytotoxic chemotherapy, transplantation and concomitant immunosuppression (especially with calcineurin inhibitors) as well as episodes of abrupt hypertension. We describe for the first time clinical, radiological and histological findings in a case of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome with an irreversible and fatal outcome occurring in the absence of any of the known predisposing clinical conditions except for a hypertensive episode. Case presentation: A 58-year-old Caucasian woman presented with a two-week history of subacute and progressive occipital headache, blurred vision and imbalance of gait and with no evidence for raised arterial blood pressure during the two weeks previous to admission. Her past medical history was unremarkable except for controlled arterial hypertension. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated cortical and subcortical lesions with combined vasogenic and cytotoxic edema atypical for both venous congestion and arterial infarction. Routine laboratory and cerebrospinal fluid parameters were normal. The diagnosis of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome was established. Within hours after admission the patient showed a rapidly decreasing level of consciousness, extension and flexion synergisms, bilaterally extensor plantar responses and rapid cardiopulmonary decompensation requiring ventilatory and cardiocirculatory support. Follow-up cerebral imaging demonstrated widespread and confluent cytotoxic edematous lesions in different arterial territories, global cerebral swelling, and subsequent upper and lower brainstem herniation. Four days after admission, the patient was declared dead because of brain death. Conclusion: This case demonstrates that fulminant and fatal reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome may occur spontaneously, that is, in the absence of any of the known predisposing systemic conditions.}, language = {en} } @article{BittnerBobakFeuchtenbergeretal.2011, author = {Bittner, Stefan and Bobak, Nicole and Feuchtenberger, Martin and Herrmann, Alexander M and G{\"o}bel, Kerstin and Kinne, Raimund W and Hansen, Anker J and Budde, Thomas and Kleinschnitz, Christoph and Frey, Oliver and Tony, Hans-Peter and Wiendl, Heinz and Meuth, Sven G}, title = {Expression of K\(_2\)\(_P\)5.1 potassium channels on CD4\(^+\)T lymphocytes correlates with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis patients}, series = {Arthritis Research \& Therapy}, volume = {13}, journal = {Arthritis Research \& Therapy}, number = {R21}, doi = {10.1186/ar3245}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-139334}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Introduction CD4+ T cells express K2P5.1 (TWIK-related acid-sensitive potassium channel 2 (TASK2); KCNK5), a member of the two-pore domain potassium channel family, which has been shown to influence T cell effector functions. Recently, it was shown that K2P5.1 is upregulated upon (autoimmune) T cell stimulation. The aim of this study was to correlate expression levels of K2P5.1 on T cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to disease activity in these patients. Methods Expression levels of K2P5.1 were measured by RT-PCR in the peripheral blood of 58 patients with RA and correlated with disease activity parameters (C-reactive protein levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rates, disease activity score (DAS28) scores). Twenty patients undergoing therapy change were followed-up for six months. Additionally, synovial fluid and synovial biopsies were investigated for T lymphocytes expressing K2P5.1. Results K2P5.1 expression levels in CD4+ T cells show a strong correlation to DAS28 scores in RA patients. Similar correlations were found for serological inflammatory parameters (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein). In addition, K2P5.1 expression levels of synovial fluid-derived T cells are higher compared to peripheral blood T cells. Prospective data in individual patients show a parallel behaviour of K2P5.1 expression to disease activity parameters during a longitudinal follow-up for six months. Conclusions Disease activity in RA patients correlates strongly with K2P5.1 expression levels in CD4+ T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood in cross-sectional as well as in longitudinal observations. Further studies are needed to investigate the exact pathophysiological mechanisms and to evaluate the possible use of K2P5.1 as a potential biomarker for disease activity and differential diagnosis.}, language = {en} } @article{WeiseBasseLuesebrinkKleinschnitzetal.2011, author = {Weise, Gesa and Basse-L{\"u}sebrink, Thomas C. and Kleinschnitz, Christoph and Kampf, Thomas and Jakob, Peter M. and Stoll, Guido}, title = {In Vivo Imaging of Stepwise Vessel Occlusion in Cerebral Photothrombosis of Mice by \(^{19}\)F MRI}, series = {PLoS One}, volume = {6}, journal = {PLoS One}, number = {12}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0028143}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-137792}, pages = {e28143}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Background \(^{19}\)F magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was recently introduced as a promising technique for in vivo cell tracking. In the present study we compared \(^{19}\)F MRI with iron-enhanced MRI in mice with photothrombosis (PT) at 7 Tesla. PT represents a model of focal cerebral ischemia exhibiting acute vessel occlusion and delayed neuroinflammation. Methods/Principal Findings Perfluorocarbons (PFC) or superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (SPIO) were injected intravenously at different time points after photothrombotic infarction. While administration of PFC directly after PT induction led to a strong \(^{19}\)F signal throughout the entire lesion, two hours delayed application resulted in a rim-like \(^{19}\)F signal at the outer edge of the lesion. These findings closely resembled the distribution of signal loss on T2-weighted MRI seen after SPIO injection reflecting intravascular accumulation of iron particles trapped in vessel thrombi as confirmed histologically. By sequential administration of two chemically shifted PFC compounds 0 and 2 hours after illumination the different spatial distribution of the \(^{19}\)F markers (infarct core/rim) could be visualized in the same animal. When PFC were applied at day 6 the fluorine marker was only detected after long acquisition times ex vivo. SPIO-enhanced MRI showed slight signal loss in vivo which was much more prominent ex vivo indicative for neuroinflammation at this late lesion stage. Conclusion Our study shows that vessel occlusion can be followed in vivo by \(^{19}\)F and SPIO-enhanced high-field MRI while in vivo imaging of neuroinflammation remains challenging. The timing of contrast agent application was the major determinant of the underlying processes depicted by both imaging techniques. Importantly, sequential application of different PFC compounds allowed depiction of ongoing vessel occlusion from the core to the margin of the ischemic lesions in a single MRI measurement.}, language = {en} } @article{RuckBittnerAfzalietal.2015, author = {Ruck, Tobias and Bittner, Stefan and Afzali, Ali Maisam and G{\"o}bel, Kerstin and Glumm, Sarah and Kraft, Peter and Sommer, Claudia and Kleinschnitz, Christoph and Preusse, Corinna and Stenzel, Werner and Wiendl, Heinz and Meuth, Sven G.}, title = {The NKG2D-IL-15 signaling pathway contributes to T-cell mediated pathology in inflammatory myopathies}, series = {Oncotarget}, volume = {6}, journal = {Oncotarget}, number = {41}, doi = {10.18632/oncotarget.6462}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-136047}, year = {2015}, abstract = {NKG2D is an activating receptor on T cells, which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. T cells are critically involved in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) and have been proposed as specific therapeutic targets. However, the mechanisms underlying T cell-mediated progressive muscle destruction in IIM remain to be elucidated. We here determined the involvement of the NKG2D - IL-15 signaling pathway. Primary human myoblasts expressed NKG2D ligands, which were further upregulated upon inflammatory stimuli. In parallel, shedding of the soluble NKG2D ligand MICA (sMICA) decreased upon inflammation potentially diminishing inhibition of NKG2D signaling. Membrane-related expression of IL-15 by myoblasts induced differentiation of naive CD8\(^+\) T cells into highly activated, cytotoxic \(CD8^+NKG2D^{high}\) T cells demonstrating NKG2D-dependent lysis of myoblasts in vitro. \(CD8^+NKG2D^{high}\) T cell frequencies were increased in the peripheral blood of polymyositis (PM) patients and correlated with serum creatinine kinase concentrations, while serum sMICA levels were not significantly changed. In muscle biopsy specimens from PM patients expression of the NKG2D ligand MICA/B was upregulated, IL-15 was expressed by muscle cells, CD68\(^+\) macrophages as well as CD4\(^+\) T cells, and \(CD8^+NKG2D^+\) cells were frequently detected within inflammatory infiltrates arguing for a local signaling circuit in the inflammatory muscle milieu. In conclusion, the NKG2D - IL-15 signaling pathway contributes to progressive muscle destruction in IIM potentially opening new therapeutic avenues.}, language = {en} } @article{JariusRuprechtWildemannetal.2012, author = {Jarius, Sven and Ruprecht, Klemens and Wildemann, Brigitte and Kuempfel, Tania and Ringelstein, Marius and Geis, Christian and Kleiter, Ingo and Kleinschnitz, Christoph and Berthele, Achim and Brettschneider, Johannes and Hellwig, Kerstin and Hemmer, Bernhard and Linker, Ralf A. and Lauda, Florian and Hayrettin, Christoph A. and Tumani, Hayrettin and Melms, Arthur and Trebst, Corinna and Stangel, Martin and Marziniak, Martin and Hoffmann, Frank and Schippling, Sven and Faiss, J{\"u}rgen H. and Neuhaus, Oliver and Ettrich, Barbara and Zentner, Christian and Guthke, Kersten and Hofstadt-van Oy, Ulrich and Reuss, Reinhard and Pellkofer, Hannah and Ziemann, Ulf and Kern, Peter and Wandinger, Klaus P. and Bergh, Florian Then and Boettcher, Tobias and Langel, Stefan and Liebetrau, Martin and Rommer, Paulus S. and Niehaus, Sabine and M{\"u}nch, Christoph and Winkelmann, Alexander and Zettl, Uwe K and Metz, Imke and Veauthier, Christian and Sieb, J{\"o}rn P. and Wilke, Christian and Hartung, Hans P. and Aktas, Orhan and Paul, Friedemann}, title = {Contrasting disease patterns in seropositive and seronegative neuromyelitis optica: A multicentre study of 175 patients}, series = {Journal of Neuroinflammation}, volume = {9}, journal = {Journal of Neuroinflammation}, number = {14}, doi = {10.1186/1742-2094-9-14}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-133636}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: The diagnostic and pathophysiological relevance of antibodies to aquaporin-4 (AQP4-Ab) in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) has been intensively studied. However, little is known so far about the clinical impact of AQP4-Ab seropositivity. Objective: To analyse systematically the clinical and paraclinical features associated with NMO spectrum disorders in Caucasians in a stratified fashion according to the patients' AQP4-Ab serostatus. Methods: Retrospective study of 175 Caucasian patients (AQP4-Ab positive in 78.3\%). Results: Seropositive patients were found to be predominantly female (p < 0.0003), to more often have signs of co-existing autoimmunity (p < 0.00001), and to experience more severe clinical attacks. A visual acuity of <= 0.1 during acute optic neuritis (ON) attacks was more frequent among seropositives (p < 0.002). Similarly, motor symptoms were more common in seropositive patients, the median Medical Research Council scale (MRC) grade worse, and MRC grades <= 2 more frequent, in particular if patients met the 2006 revised criteria (p < 0.005, p < 0.006 and p < 0.01, respectively), the total spinal cord lesion load was higher (p < 0.006), and lesions >= 6 vertebral segments as well as entire spinal cord involvement more frequent (p < 0.003 and p < 0.043). By contrast, bilateral ON at onset was more common in seronegatives (p < 0.007), as was simultaneous ON and myelitis (p < 0.001); accordingly, the time to diagnosis of NMO was shorter in the seronegative group (p < 0.029). The course of disease was more often monophasic in seronegatives (p < 0.008). Seropositives and seronegatives did not differ significantly with regard to age at onset, time to relapse, annualized relapse rates, outcome from relapse (complete, partial, no recovery), annualized EDSS increase, mortality rate, supratentorial brain lesions, brainstem lesions, history of carcinoma, frequency of preceding infections, oligoclonal bands, or CSF pleocytosis. Both the time to relapse and the time to diagnosis was longer if the disease started with ON (p < 0.002 and p < 0.013). Motor symptoms or tetraparesis at first myelitis and > 1 myelitis attacks in the first year were identified as possible predictors of a worse outcome.}, language = {en} } @article{EhlingGoebBittneretal.2013, author = {Ehling, Petra and G{\"o}b, Eva and Bittner, Stefan and Budde, Thomas and Ludwig, Andreas and Kleinschnitz, Christoph and Meuth, Sven G.}, title = {Ischemia-induced cell depolarization: does the hyperpolarization-activated cation channel HCN2 affect the outcome after stroke in mice?}, series = {Experimental \& Translational Stroke Medicine}, volume = {5}, journal = {Experimental \& Translational Stroke Medicine}, number = {16}, doi = {10.1186/2040-7378-5-16}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-131887}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Background Brain ischemia is known to include neuronal cell death and persisting neurological deficits. A lack of oxygen and glucose are considered to be key mediators of ischemic neurodegeneration while the exact mechanisms are yet unclear. In former studies the expression of two different two-pore domain potassium \((K_{2P})\) channels (TASK1, TREK1) were shown to ameliorate neuronal damage due to cerebral ischemia. In neurons, TASK channels carrying hyperpolarizing \(K^+\) leak currents, and the pacemaker channel HCN2, carrying depolarizing \(I_h\), stabilize the membrane potential by a mutual functional interaction. It is assumed that this ionic interplay between TASK and HCN2 channels enhances the resistance of neurons to insults accompanied by extracellular pH shifts. Methods In C57Bl/6 (wildtype, WT), \(hcn2^{+/+}\) and \(hcn2^{-/-}\) mice we used an in vivo model of cerebral ischemia (transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO)) to depict a functional impact of HCN2 in stroke formation. Subsequent analyses comprise behavioural tests and hcn2 gene expression assays. Results After 60 min of tMCAO induction in WT mice, we collected tissue samples at 6, 12, and 24 h after reperfusion. In the infarcted neocortex, hcn2 expression analyses revealed a nominal peak of hcn2 expression 6 h after reperfusion with a tendency towards lower expression levels with longer reperfusion times. Hcn2 gene expression levels in infarcted basal ganglia did not change after 6 h and 12 h. Only at 24 h after reperfusion, hcn2 expression significantly decreases by ~55\%. However, 30 min of tMCAO in hcn2-/- as well as hcn2+/+ littermates induced similar infarct volumes. Behavioural tests for global neurological function (Bederson score) and motor function/coordination (grip test) were performed at day 1 after surgery. Again, we found no differences between the groups. Conclusions Here, we hypothesized that the absence of HCN2, an important functional counter player of TASK channels, affects neuronal survival during stroke-induced tissue damage. However, together with a former study on TASK3 these results implicate that both TASK3 and HCN2 which were supposed to be neuroprotective due to their pH-dependency, do not influence ischemic neurodegeneration during stroke in the tMCAO model.}, language = {en} } @article{GolombeckWessigMonoranuetal.2013, author = {Golombeck, Stefanie Kristin and Wessig, Carsten and Monoranu, Camelia-Maria and Sch{\"u}tz, Ansgar and Solymosi, Laszlo and Melzer, Niko and Kleinschnitz, Christoph}, title = {Fatal atypical reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome: a case report}, series = {Journal of Medical Case Reports}, volume = {7}, journal = {Journal of Medical Case Reports}, number = {14}, doi = {10.1186/1752-1947-7-14}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-129456}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Introduction: Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome - a reversible subacute global encephalopathy clinically presenting with headache, altered mental status, visual symptoms such as hemianopsia or cortical blindness, motor symptoms, and focal or generalized seizures - is characterized by a subcortical vasogenic edema symmetrically affecting posterior brain regions. Complete reversibility of both clinical signs and magnetic resonance imaging lesions is regarded as a defining feature of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome. Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome is almost exclusively seen in the setting of a predisposing clinical condition, such as pre-eclampsia, systemic infections, sepsis and shock, certain autoimmune diseases, various malignancies and cytotoxic chemotherapy, transplantation and concomitant immunosuppression (especially with calcineurin inhibitors) as well as episodes of abrupt hypertension. We describe for the first time clinical, radiological and histological findings in a case of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome with an irreversible and fatal outcome occurring in the absence of any of the known predisposing clinical conditions except for a hypertensive episode. Case presentation: A 58-year-old Caucasian woman presented with a two-week history of subacute and progressive occipital headache, blurred vision and imbalance of gait and with no evidence for raised arterial blood pressure during the two weeks previous to admission. Her past medical history was unremarkable except for controlled arterial hypertension. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated cortical and subcortical lesions with combined vasogenic and cytotoxic edema atypical for both venous congestion and arterial infarction. Routine laboratory and cerebrospinal fluid parameters were normal. The diagnosis of reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome was established. Within hours after admission the patient showed a rapidly decreasing level of consciousness, extension and flexion synergisms, bilaterally extensor plantar responses and rapid cardiopulmonary decompensation requiring ventilatory and cardiocirculatory support. Follow-up cerebral imaging demonstrated widespread and confluent cytotoxic edematous lesions in different arterial territories, global cerebral swelling, and subsequent upper and lower brainstem herniation. Four days after admission, the patient was declared dead because of brain death. Conclusion: This case demonstrates that fulminant and fatal reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome may occur spontaneously, that is, in the absence of any of the known predisposing systemic conditions.}, language = {en} } @article{FluriHeinenKleinschnitz2013, author = {Fluri, Felix and Heinen, Florian and Kleinschnitz, Christoph}, title = {Intravenous Thrombolysis in a Stroke Patient Receiving Rivaroxaban}, series = {Cerebrovascular Disease Extra}, volume = {2013}, journal = {Cerebrovascular Disease Extra}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1159/000355839}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-128816}, pages = {153-155}, year = {2013}, abstract = {No abstract available.}, language = {en} } @article{LinkerMagnusKornetal.2013, author = {Linker, Ralf A. and Magnus, Tim and Korn, Thomas and Kleinschnitz, Christoph and Meuth, Sven G.}, title = {Report on the 5'th scientific meeting of the "Verein zur F{\"o}rderung des Wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchses in der Neurologie" (NEUROWIND e.V.) held in Motzen, Germany, Oct. 25th - Oct. 27th, 2013}, series = {Experimental \& Translational Stroke Medicine}, volume = {5}, journal = {Experimental \& Translational Stroke Medicine}, number = {15}, doi = {10.1186/2040-7378-5-15}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-129230}, year = {2013}, abstract = {From october 25th - 27th 2013, the 5th NEUROWIND e.V. meeting was held in Motzen, Brandenburg, Germany. This year more than 60 doctoral students and postdocs from over 25 different groups working in German university hospitals or research institutes attended the meeting to discuss their latest findings in the fields of neuroimmunology, neurodegeneration and neurovascular research. All participants appreciated the stimulating environment in Motzen, Brandenburg, and people took the opportunity for scientific exchange, discussion about ongoing projects and already started further collaborations. Like in the previous years, the symposium was regarded as a very well organized platform to support research of young investigators in Germany. According to the major aim of NEUROWIND e.V. to support younger researchers in Germany the 3rd NEUROWIND YOUNG SCIENTIST AWARD for experimental neurology was awarded to Ruth Stassart working in the group of Klaus Armin Nave and Wolfgang Br{\"u}ck (MPI G{\"o}ttingen and Department of Neuropathology, G{\"o}ttingen Germany). The successful work was published in Nature Neuroscience entitled "A role for Swann cell-derived neuregulin-1 in remyelination". This outstanding paper deals with the function of Schwann cell neuregulin as an endogenous factor for myelin repair. The award is endowed with 20.000 Euro sponsored by Merck Serono GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany (unrestricted educational grant). This year's keynote lecture was given by Albert Ludolph, Head of the Department of Neurology at the University Clinic of Ulm. Dr. Ludolph highlighted the particular role of individual scientists for the development of research concepts in Alzheimer´s disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).}, language = {en} } @article{EhlingGoebBittneretal.2013, author = {Ehling, Petra and G{\"o}b, Eva and Bittner, Stefan and Budde, Thomas and Ludwig, Andreas and Kleinschnitz, Christoph and Meuth, Sven G.}, title = {Ischemia-induced cell depolarization: does the hyperpolarization-activated cation channel HCN2 affect the outcome after stroke in mice?}, series = {Experimental \& Translational Stroke Medicine}, volume = {5}, journal = {Experimental \& Translational Stroke Medicine}, number = {16}, doi = {10.1186/2040-7378-5-16}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-129240}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Background Brain ischemia is known to include neuronal cell death and persisting neurological deficits. A lack of oxygen and glucose are considered to be key mediators of ischemic neurodegeneration while the exact mechanisms are yet unclear. In former studies the expression of two different two-pore domain potassium \((K_{2P})\) channels (TASK1, TREK1) were shown to ameliorate neuronal damage due to cerebral ischemia. In neurons, TASK channels carrying hyperpolarizing \(K^+\) leak currents, and the pacemaker channel HCN2, carrying depolarizing Ih, stabilize the membrane potential by a mutual functional interaction. It is assumed that this ionic interplay between TASK and HCN2 channels enhances the resistance of neurons to insults accompanied by extracellular pH shifts. Methods In C57Bl/6 (wildtype, WT), \(hcn2^{+/+}\) and \(hcn2^{-/-}\) mice we used an in vivo model of cerebral ischemia (transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO)) to depict a functional impact of HCN2 in stroke formation. Subsequent analyses comprise behavioural tests and hcn2 gene expression assays. Results After 60 min of tMCAO induction in WT mice, we collected tissue samples at 6, 12, and 24 h after reperfusion. In the infarcted neocortex, hcn2 expression analyses revealed a nominal peak of hcn2 expression 6 h after reperfusion with a tendency towards lower expression levels with longer reperfusion times. Hcn2 gene expression levels in infarcted basal ganglia did not change after 6 h and 12 h. Only at 24 h after reperfusion, hcn2 expression significantly decreases by ~55\%. However, 30 min of tMCAO in hcn2-/- as well as hcn2+/+ littermates induced similar infarct volumes. Behavioural tests for global neurological function (Bederson score) and motor function/coordination (grip test) were performed at day 1 after surgery. Again, we found no differences between the groups. Conclusions Here, we hypothesized that the absence of HCN2, an important functional counter player of TASK channels, affects neuronal survival during stroke-induced tissue damage. However, together with a former study on TASK3 these results implicate that both TASK3 and HCN2 which were supposed to be neuroprotective due to their pH-dependency, do not influence ischemic neurodegeneration during stroke in the tMCAO model.}, language = {en} }