Blast exposure predisposes the brain to increased neurological deficits in a model of blast plus blunt traumatic brain injury.

In this study, we investigated the behavioral and neuronal deficits resulting from a blast plus injury involving a mild-moderate blast followed by a mild blunt trauma using the fluid percussion injury model. We identified that the blast injury predisposed the brain to increased cognitive deficits, chronic ventricular enlargement, increased neurodegeneration at acute time points and chronic neuronal loss. Interestingly, a single blast and single blunt injury differed in their onset and manifestation of cognitive and regional neuronal loss. We also identified the presence of cleaved RIP1 from caspase 8 mediated apoptosis in the blunt injury while the blast injury did not activate immediate apoptosis but led to decreased hilar neuronal survival over time.
PMID: 32553593 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Experimental Neurology - June 14, 2020 Category: Neurology Authors: Aravind A, Kosty J, Chandra N, Pfister BJ Tags: Exp Neurol Source Type: research