The role of the complement system in traumatic brain injury

A traumatic impact to the brain induces an intracranial inflammatory response, which consequently leads to the development of brain edema and delayed neuronal death. Evidence from experimental, clinical, and in vitro studies highlight an important role for the complement system in contributing to inflammation within the injured brain. The present review summarizes the current understanding of the mechanisms of complement-mediated secondary brain injury after head trauma. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.