Current fluid biomarkers, animal models, and imaging tools for diagnosing chronic traumatic encephalopathy

AbstractPurpose of reviewChronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disorder that results from repetitive traumatic brain injury (TBI), whether mild or severe. Several popular sports that subject the head to impact have been linked as a primary cause of the disease. Phosphorylated tau and A β deposits are the two proteins observed histopathologically in CTE patients. An ischemic environment is created that contributes to the hyperphosphorylation of tau following traumatic brain injury. The use of fluid biomarkers, animal models for TBI, as well as imaging tools are considered valuable in understanding the pathophysiological mechanism of CTE. This review gives particular attention to the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of the current fluid biomarkers, use of animal models, and imaging techniques used in CTE diagnosis.Recent findingsBeta-amyloid and phosphorylated tau were suggested as the two main pathological biomarkers for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) diagnosis, though research into other fluid biomarkers of traumatic brain injury (TBI) such as neurofilament light chain (NFL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and C-C motif chemokine 11 (CCL11) has been undertaken but was mostly limited by sample size, and decreased sensitivity in follow-up studies. Animal models and devices that simulate TBI were valuable in exploring injury dynamics and the role it may have on CTE. The use of transgenic animals in CTE research has also unc...
Source: Molecular and Cellular Toxicology - Category: Cytology Source Type: research