Journal of neurotrauma
-
Journal of neurotrauma · Jul 2017
Repetitive Closed-Head Impact Model of Engineered Rotational Acceleration induces long-term cognitive impairments with persistent astrogliosis and microgliosis in mice.
Repeated mild traumatic brain injury (rmTBI) has been identified by epidemiology as a high-risk factor for dementia at a later stage in life. Animal models to replicate complex features of human rmTBI and/or to evaluate long-term effects on brain function have not been established. In this study, we used a novel closed-head impact model of engineered rotational acceleration (CHIMERA) to investigate the long-term neuropathological and cognitive functional consequences of rmTBI. ⋯ Repeated CHIMERA (rCHIMERA) resulted in motor deficits at 3 days, and in learning and memory impairments that were sustained up to 6 months post injury. GFAP and TNF-α gene expression was increased within a week, whereas astrogliosis and microgliosis were induced starting from day 1 up to 6.5 months after rCHIMERA with upregulated GFAP and Iba-1 protein levels. rCHIMERA also induced APP deposition from day 1 to day 7, but this diminished by 1 month. In conclusion, rCHIMERA produces long-lasting cognitive impairments with astrogliosis and microgliosis in mice, suggesting that rCHIMERA can be a useful animal model to study the long-term complications, as well as the cellular and molecular mechanisms, of human rmTBI.
-
Cogniphobia refers to avoidance of mental exertion out of a fear of developing or exacerbating a headache. Headaches are very common after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and often become chronic. Cogniphobia is hypothesized to contribute to poor cognitive test performance and persistent disability in some patients with mTBI. ⋯ Cogniphobia was associated with lower performance on memory testing (but not other cognitive tests), independent of headache severity. Participants who avoided mental exertion also tended to avoid physical activity and traumatic stress triggers. The findings provide preliminary support for the role of cogniphobia in persistent cognitive difficulties after mTBI, and suggest that cogniphobia may reflect a broader avoidant coping style.
-
Journal of neurotrauma · Jul 2017
ReviewSystematic Review of Genetic Risk Factors for Sustaining a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.
This systematic review examined the association between genetics and risk for sustaining a traumatic brain injury. We retrieved articles published in English from 1980 to July 2016 obtained from the online databases PubMed, PsycINFO®, MEDLINE®, Embase, and Web of Science. In total 5903 articles were identified, 77 underwent full-text screening, and 6 were included in this review. ⋯ We conclude that the APOE promoter -219G/T polymorphism and the BDNF Met/Met genotype might confer risk for sustaining a TBI. Based on research to date, the APOE-ɛ4 allele does not appear to influence risk. More research is needed to determine if these findings replicate.