Exploring the Pathogenic Mechanism of the"Toxin-Damaging Brain Collaterals"Theory of Ischemic Stroke Based on the Synaptic Pruning Function Mediated by Microglia
LI Na
GAO Yonghong
GAO Ying
LIU Zhenhong
Abstract：In China,stroke stands as the primary cause of mortality and disability among adults.Ischemic stroke constitutes over 80%of all stroke cases.The aftermath of a stroke typically gives rise to various degrees of neurological deficits,which have a profound impact on patients'prognosis.Neuroplasticity forms the cornerstone of functional recovery after a stroke.Within this process,microglia-mediated synaptic pruning plays a crucial regulatory role.Based on Academician Wang Yongyan's core pathogenesis hypothesis of"toxin-damaging brain collaterals"in stroke,following a stroke,excessive pathogenic factors transform into toxins,inflicting damage on the brain's collateral system.The brain collaterals can be further classified into blood collaterals and Qi collaterals.Over time,the accumulation of toxins over-activates microglia.This over-activation exacerbates the inflammatory response,damaging the brain's blood collaterals and leading to the condition of"collateral damage and marrow injury",which is manifested as damage to neuronal and synaptic structures.Simultaneously,it disrupts the inter-synaptic information transmission and impairs the brain's Qi collaterals,resulting in"collateral damage and spirit dissipation",that is,neurological dysfunction.Therefore,abnormal microglia-mediated synaptic pruning might be the microscopic manifestation of the pathogenesis evolution in the theory of"toxin-damaging brain collaterals".This study systematically delves into the inherent relationships among these aspects.By doing so,it endows the"toxin-damaging brain collaterals"theory with novel scientific implications,thus offering new research directions for the integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment of ischemic stroke.
Keywords：Toxin-damaging brain collateralsSynaptic pruningIschemic strokeMicroglia
Publication Date：2026-02-28
Online Publishing Date：2026-03-13(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 234-239 )