Journal of neurotrauma
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Journal of neurotrauma · Jan 2017
Hemolysed blood elicits - calcium antagonist and high CO2 reversible - constrictions via elevation of Ca2+ in isolated cerebral arteries.
During acute subarachnoid hemorrhage, blood is hemolyzed, which is followed by a significant cerebrovascular spasm resulting in a serious clinical condition. Interestingly, however, the direct vasomotor effect of perivascular hemolyzed blood (HB) has not yet been characterized, preventing the assessment of contribution of vasoconstrictor mechanisms deriving from brain tissue and/or blood and development of possible treatments. We hypothesized that perivascular HB reduces the diameter of the cerebral arteries (i.e., basilar artery [BA]; middle cerebral artery [MCA]) by elevating vascular tissue [Ca2+]i level. ⋯ After washout of HB, nitric oxide-mediated dilations remained significantly reduced compared to control. HB significantly increased the ratiometric Ca signal, which returned to control level after washout. In conclusion, perivascular hemolyzed blood elicits significant-nifedipine and high CO2 reversible-constrictions of isolated BAs and MCAs, primarily by increasing intracellular Ca2+, findings that can contribute to the refinement of local treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage.
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Journal of neurotrauma · Jan 2017
Comprehensive Profiling of Modulation of Nitric Oxide levels and Mitochondrial Activity in Injured Brain: An Experimental Study based on the Fluid Percussion Injury Model in Rats.
Nitric oxide (NO) has frequently been associated with secondary damage after brain injury. However, average NO levels in different brain regions before and after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and its role in post-TBI mitochondrial dysfunction remain unclear. In this comprehensive profiling study, we demonstrate for the first time that basal NO levels vary significantly in the healthy cortex (0.44 ± 0.04 μM), hippocampus (0.26 ± 0.03 μM), and cerebellum (1.24 ± 0.08 μM). ⋯ NO-mediated impairment of mitochondrial state 3 respiration dependent on complex I substrates was transient and confined to the ipsilateral cortex. Our results demonstrate that NO dynamics and associated effects differ in various regions of the injured brain. A potential association between the observed mitochondrial electron flow through complex I, but not complex II, and the modulation of TBI induced NO levels in different brain regions has to be prospectively analyzed in more detail.
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Journal of neurotrauma · Jan 2017
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyTelephone Problem Solving for Service Members with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a common injury for service members in recent military conflicts. There is insufficient evidence of how best to treat the consequences of mTBI. In a randomized, clinical trial, we evaluated the efficacy of telephone-delivered problem-solving treatment (PST) on psychological and physical symptoms in 356 post-deployment active duty service members from Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington, and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. ⋯ Participants preferred PST over EO (p < 0.001). Telephone-delivered PST appears to be a well-accepted treatment that offers promise for reducing psychological distress after combat-related mTBI and could be a useful adjunct treatment post-mTBI. Further studies are required to determine how to sustain its effects. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01387490 https://clinicaltrials.gov ).
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Journal of neurotrauma · Jan 2017
Female Service Members and Symptom Reporting following Combat and Non-combat Related Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.
Females are often excluded from military-related mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) research because of its relatively low prevalence in this population. The purpose of this study was to focus on outcome from mTBI in female service members, compared with males. Participants were 172 United States military service members selected from a larger sample that had sustained an mTBI, and were evaluated within 24 months of injury (Age: mean = 28.9, SD = 8.1) at one of six military medical centers. ⋯ Symptoms most affected related to poor concentration, trouble remembering a stressful event, and disturbing memories/thoughts/images. Females consistently experienced more symptoms than males. As females become more active in combat-related deployments, it is critical that future studies place more emphasis on this important military population.