Journal of neurotrauma
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Journal of neurotrauma · May 2012
Attenuation of microglial activation with minocycline is not associated with changes in neurogenesis after focal traumatic brain injury in adult mice.
Neurogenesis is stimulated following injury to the adult brain and could potentially contribute to tissue repair. However, evidence suggests that microglia activated in response to injury are detrimental to the survival of new neurons, thus limiting the neurogenic response. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the anti-inflammatory drug minocycline on neurogenesis and functional recovery after a closed head injury model of focal traumatic brain injury (TBI). ⋯ We also show for the first time in the closed head injury model, that early stages of neurogenesis were stimulated in the hippocampus and subventricular zone; however, no increase in new mature neurons occurred. Contrary to our hypothesis, despite the attenuation of activated microglia, minocycline did not support neurogenesis in the hippocampus, lateral ventricles, or pericontusional cortex, with none of the neurogenic stages being affected by treatment. These data provide evidence that a general suppression of microglial activation is insufficient to enhance neuronal production, suggesting that further work is required to elucidate the relationship between microglia and neurogenesis after TBI.
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Journal of neurotrauma · May 2012
ReviewSocial function in children and adolescents after traumatic brain injury: a systematic review 1989-2011.
Clinical reports and case studies suggest that traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have significant social consequences, with social dysfunction reported to be the most debilitating problem for child and adolescent survivors. From a social neuroscience perspective, evidence suggests that social skills are not localized to a specific brain region, but are mediated by an integrated neural network. Many components of this network are susceptible to disruption in the context of TBI. ⋯ Despite these limitations, the weight of evidence confirmed an elevated risk of social impairment in the context of moderate and severe injury. While rarely examined, younger age at insult, pathology to frontal regions and the corpus callosum, and social disadvantage and family dysfunction may also increase the likelihood of social difficulties. More research is needed to obtain an accurate picture of social outcomes post-brain injury.
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Journal of neurotrauma · May 2012
Predicting 14-day mortality after severe traumatic brain injury: application of the IMPACT models in the brain trauma foundation TBI-trac® New York State database.
Prognostic models for outcome prediction in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are important instruments in both clinical practice and research. To remain current a continuous process of model validation is necessary. We aimed to investigate the performance of the International Mission on Prognosis and Analysis of Clinical Trials in TBI (IMPACT) prognostic models in predicting mortality in a contemporary New York State TBI registry developed and maintained by the Brain Trauma Foundation. ⋯ Mean predicted probabilities were 20% for the Core model and 24% for the Extended model. Both models showed good discrimination with AUCs of 0.79 (Core) and 0.83 (Extended). We conclude that the IMPACT models validly predict 14-day mortality in the BTF database, confirming generalizability of these models for outcome prediction in TBI patients.
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Journal of neurotrauma · May 2012
Clinical TrialSafety of early warfarin resumption following burr hole drainage for warfarin-associated subacute or chronic subdural hemorrhage.
The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of early warfarin resumption following burr hole drainage for warfarin-associated subdural hemorrhage (SDH). This prospective, single-arm, single-center trial was conducted from February 2008 to April 2010. Inclusion criteria were premorbid warfarin therapy, subacute or chronic SDH requiring burr hole drainage, and an International Normalized Ratio (INR) of >1.5 at presentation. ⋯ SDH recurrence was found to be associated with older age (≥ 75 years), and a thicker SDH (≥ 25 mm), but not with post-operative anticoagulation status. None of the study subjects experienced a thromboembolic event during the study period. Restarting warfarin therapy does not need to be withheld for more than 3 days after burr hole drainage, particularly in patients with a high thromboembolic risk.
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Journal of neurotrauma · May 2012
Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity after traumatic brain injury: clinical and prognostic implications.
A proportion of patients surviving severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) have symptoms suggestive of excessive sympathetic discharge, here termed paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH). The goals of this study were: (1) to describe the clinical associations and radiological findings of PSH, its incidence, and features in subjects with severe TBI in the intensive care unit (ICU); (2) to investigate the potential role of increased intracranial pressure in the pathogenesis of PSH; and (3) to determine the prognostic influence of PSH during the ICU stay, on discharge from the ICU, and at 12 months post-injury. A prospective cohort study was undertaken of all ICU admissions with severe TBI older than 14 years over an 18-month period. ⋯ At 1 year post-injury, 20% of this group demonstrated ongoing PSH episodes. Over 18 months, 10.1% of admissions following severe TBI demonstrated PSH features in ICU. Subjects with PSH had a longer ICU stay and higher rate of complications, although this did not appear to compromise their long-term neurological recovery.