Articles: traumatic-brain-injuries.
-
The hippocampus role in sensory-motor integration remains unclear. In these experiments we study its function in the locomotor control. To establish the connection between the hippocampus and the locomotor system, electrical stimulation in the CA1 region was applied and EMG recordings were obtained. ⋯ After 30 days, the nontreated group presented a reduction in the number of pyramidal cell layer neurons at the injury site, in comparison to the tam-treated group. The loss of neurons, may cause the interruption of the trisynaptic circuit and changes in the locomotion speed. Tamoxifen preserves the pyramidal neurons after the injury, probably resulting in the strides speed recovery.
-
A modified Marmarou impact acceleration model was used to help screen biomarkers to assess brain injury severity. Anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to a closed head injury from 1.25, 1.75 and 2.25 m drop heights. Linear and angular responses of the head were measured in vivo. 24h after impact, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum were collected. ⋯ Levels of Aβ were not significantly different between groups. Pearson's correlation analysis showed pNF-H and GFAP levels in CSF and serum had positive correlation with power (rate of impact energy), followed by average linear acceleration and surface righting (p<0.01), which were good predictors for traumatic axonal injury according to histologic assessment in our previous study, suggesting that they are directly related to the injury mechanism. The model used in this study showed a unique ability in elucidating the relationship between biomarker levels and severity of the mechanical trauma to the brain.
-
Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a key component of innate immunity. The expression of cortical MBL is up-regulated after clinical and experimental head trauma. This study aimed to assess the association of serum MBL levels with injury severity and long-term clinical outcomes after severe traumatic brain injury (STBI). ⋯ Increased serum level of MBL was independently associated with head trauma severity and long-term clinical outcomes of STBI.
-
Ventilation monitoring practice for intubated pediatric patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) during interfacility transport (IFT) has not been well documented. We describe the difference of practices in ventilation monitoring during IFT from the perspective of a level I pediatric trauma center with an enormous catchment area. ⋯ Non-specialized ground IFT teams did not reliably monitor ventilation in intubated severe pediatric TBI patients. Blood gas monitoring was not a ubiquitous practice for either team. Optimal ventilation monitoring strategies for severe pediatric TBI may require both blood gas and end-tidal monitoring.
-
Human brain mapping · Dec 2015
Regional volumes in brain stem and cerebellum are associated with postural impairments in young brain-injured patients.
Many patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) suffer from postural control impairments that can profoundly affect daily life. The cerebellum and brain stem are crucial for the neural control of posture and have been shown to be vulnerable to primary and secondary structural consequences of TBI. The aim of this study was to investigate whether morphometric differences in the brain stem and cerebellum can account for impairments in static and dynamic postural control in TBI. ⋯ Moreover, across all participants, worse postural control performance was associated with lower WM volume in the pons, medulla, midbrain, superior and middle cerebellar peduncles and cerebellum. This is the first study in TBI patients to demonstrate an association between postural impairments and reduced volume in specific infratentorial brain areas. Volumetric measures of the brain stem and cerebellum may be valuable prognostic markers of the chronic neural pathology, which complicates rehabilitation of postural control in TBI.