Journal of neurotrauma
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Journal of neurotrauma · Jun 2021
Differential DNA methylation of the genes for amyloid precursor protein, tau and neurofilaments in human traumatic brain injury.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an established risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders and dementias. Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, may alter the expression of genes without altering the DNA sequence in response to environmental factors. We hypothesized that DNA methylation changes may occur in the injured human brain and be implicated in the neurodegenerative aftermath of TBI. ⋯ Among the top 20 differentially methylated CpG sites, 11 were in the APP gene. In addition, the EWAS evaluating 828,888 CpG sites revealed 308 differentially methylated CpG sites in genes related to cellular/anatomical structure development, cell differentiation, and anatomical morphogenesis. These preliminary findings provide the first evidence of an altered DNA methylome in the injured human brain, and may have implications for the neurodegenerative disorders associated with TBI.
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Journal of neurotrauma · Jun 2021
Nitric oxide/cGMP signaling via guanylyl cyclase isoform 1 mediates early changes in synaptic transmission and brain edema formation after TBI.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) often induces structural damage, disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), neurodegeneration, and dysfunctions of surviving neuronal networks. Nitric oxide (NO) signaling has been suggested to affect brain functions after TBI. The NO exhibits most of its biological effects by activation of the primary targets-guanylyl cyclases (NO-GCs), which exists in two isoforms (NO-GC1 and NO-GC2), and the subsequently produced cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). ⋯ Interestingly, NO-GC1 KO mice revealed relatively less BBB rupture and a weaker brain edema formation early after TBI. Further, lack of NO-GC1 also prevented the impaired synaptic transmission and network function that were observed in TBI-treated WT mice. These data suggest that NO-GC1 signaling mediates early brain damage and the strength of ipsilateral cortical network in the early phase after TBI.
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Journal of neurotrauma · Jun 2021
Imaging markers for the characterization of grey and white matter changes from acute to chronic stages after experimental traumatic brain injury.
Despite clinical symptoms, a large majority of people with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) have normal computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Therefore, present-day neuroimaging tools are insufficient to diagnose or classify low grades of TBI. Advanced neuroimaging techniques, such as diffusion-weighted and functional MRI, may yield novel biomarkers that may aid in the diagnosis of TBI. ⋯ No significant changes in individual outcome measures were detected after mild TBI. However, multivariate analysis showed a significant additive contribution of diffusion parameters in the distinction between control and different grades of TBI-affected brains. Therefore, combining multiple imaging markers may increase the sensitivity for TBI-related pathology.
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Journal of neurotrauma · Jun 2021
Unexpected findings from a pilot study on vision training as a potential intervention to reduce sub-concussive head impacts during a collegiate ice hockey season.
Player-to-player contact is the most frequent head impact mechanism in collegiate ice hockey. Training with three-dimensional multiple-object tracking (3D-MOT) could potentially reduce the quantity and severity of head impacts by enhancing player anticipation of these impacts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 3D-MOT training to reduce the numbers of head impacts sustained by National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III men's and women's ice hockey players. ⋯ Conversely, 3D-MOT defensemen sustained head impacts with a mean peak rotational velocity less than that of C defensemen (3D-MOT = 11.54 ± 6.76 rad.sec-1; C = 13.65 ± 8.43 rad.sec-1). There was no significant difference for all other parameters analyzed between 3D-MOT and C groups. Player position may play an important role in future interventions to reduce head impacts in collegiate ice hockey.