Journal of neurotrauma
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Journal of neurotrauma · Jul 2015
Combining Enriched Environment, Progesterone, and Embryonic Neural Stem Cell Therapy Improves Recovery Following Brain Injury.
Millions of persons every year are affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI), and currently no therapies have shown efficacy in improving outcomes clinically. Recent research has suggested that enriched environments (EE), embryonic neural stem cells (eNSC), and progesterone (PROG) improve functional outcomes after TBI, and further, several investigators have suggested that a polytherapuetic approach may have greater efficacy than a single therapy. The purpose of the current study was to determine if varying combinations of post-injury EE, progesterone therapy, or eNSC transplantation would improve functional outcomes over just a single therapy. ⋯ Immunohistochemistry showed that the transplanted eNSCs survived, migrated, and displayed neural phenotypes. These data suggest that a poly-therapeutic approach after TBI improves functional recovery to a greater magnitude. Moreover, when polytherapies are combined with EE, the effects on recovery are enhanced, leading to greater recovery of function.
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Journal of neurotrauma · Jul 2015
Expression of Mitogen-activated Protein Kinases in Chronic Subdural Hematoma Outer Membranes.
Growth factors and inflammatory cytokines activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade. Previous studies have shown that chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) fluid contains these factors and cytokines. In this study, expression of three major MAPK cascade transmitters in the outer membrane of CSDH was assessed. ⋯ Activation of MEK was significantly inhibited by treatment with antibodies directed against interleukin-6 and vascular endothelial growth factor in ECs, but not in fibroblasts. Inflammatory cytokines and growth factors in CSDH fluids might activate major MAPKs in ECs, which might be associated with neovascularization in the outer membrane of CSDH. These MAPK pathways could become novel targets for treatment of CSDHs.
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Journal of neurotrauma · Jul 2015
The trajectory of long-term psychosocial development 16 years following childhood traumatic brain injury.
Childhood traumatic brain injury (CTBI) is one of the most common causes of impairment in children and adolescents, with psychosocial difficulties found to be the most persisting. Given that the transition into adolescence and adulthood can be a stressful period, it is likely that young people who have sustained a CTBI will be more vulnerable to developing psychosocial problems. To date, most research has focused on psychosocial development up to five years following a CTBI and it is unclear how survivors develop in the long-term as young adults. ⋯ The mild CTBI group scored in the borderline range for externalizing symptoms six months post-CTBI; however, all other mean scores were within the normal range. Over a period of 16 years, young adults with CTBI showed similar developmental trajectories regarding psychosocial outcomes, compared with healthy controls. This study confirmed previous literature that CTBI is associated with increased levels of psychosocial problems.
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Journal of neurotrauma · Jul 2015
A threshold shear force for calcium influx in an astrocyte model of traumatic brain injury.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) refers to brain damage resulting from external mechanical force, such as a blast or crash. Our current understanding of TBI is derived mainly from in vivo studies that show measurable biological effects on neurons sampled after TBI. Little is known about the early responses of brain cells during stimuli and which features of the stimulus are most critical to cell injury. ⋯ The voltage-gated channel blockers, nifedipine, diltiazem, and verapamil, were also ineffective. The data show that the mechanically induced Ca(2+) influx commonly associated with neuron models for TBI is also present in astrocytes, and there is a viscoelastic/plastic coupling of shear stress to the Ca(2+) influx. The site of Ca(2+) influx has yet to be determined.
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Journal of neurotrauma · Jul 2015
The Effects of Mild TBI, PTSD, and Combined Mild TBI/PTSD on Returning Veterans.
United States veterans of the Iraqi (Operation Iraqi Freedom [OIF]) and Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom [OEF]) conflicts have frequently returned from deployment after sustaining mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and enduring stressful events resulting in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A large number of returning service members have been diagnosed with both a history of mTBI and current PTSD. Substantial literature exists on the neuropsychological factors associated with mTBI and PTSD occurring separately; far less research has explored the combined effects of PTSD and mTBI. ⋯ Additionally, the mTBI+PTSD group was significantly more psychologically distressed than the PTSD-o group, and PTSD-o group was more distressed than VC and mTBI-o groups. These findings suggest that veterans with mTBI+PTSD perform significantly lower on neuropsychological and psychiatric measures than veterans with mTBI-o or PTSD-o. The results also raise the possibility of mild but persisting cognitive changes following mTBI sustained during deployment.