Behavioral, axonal, and proteomic alterations following repeated mild traumatic brain injury: Novel insights using a clinically relevant rat model.

Behavioral, axonal, and proteomic alterations following repeated mild traumatic brain injury: Novel insights using a clinically relevant rat model.
Neurobiol Dis. 2020 Oct 27;:105151
Authors: Pham L, Wright DK, O'Brien WT, Bain J, Huang C, Sun M, Casillas-Espinosa PM, Shah AD, Schittenhelm RB, Sobey CG, Brady RD, O'Brien TJ, Mychasiuk R, Shultz SR, McDonald SJ
Abstract
A history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is linked to a number of chronic neurological conditions, however there is still much unknown about the underlying mechanisms. To provide new insights, this study used a clinically relevant model of repeated mTBI in rats to characterize the acute and chronic neuropathological and neurobehavioral consequences of these injuries. Rats were given four sham-injuries or four mTBIs and allocated to 7-day or 3.5-months post-injury recovery groups. Behavioral analysis assessed sensorimotor function, locomotion, anxiety, and spatial memory. Neuropathological analysis included serum quantification of neurofilament light (NfL), mass spectrometry of the hippocampal proteome, and ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Repeated mTBI rats had evidence of acute cognitive deficits and prolonged sensorimotor impairments. Serum NfL was elevated at 7 days post injury, with levels correlating with sensorimotor deficits; however, no NfL differences were observed at 3.5 months. Several hippocampal proteins were altered by repeated mTBI, i...

Source: Neurobiology of Disease - October 27, 2020 Category: Neurology Authors: Pham L, Wright DK, O'Brien WT, Bain J, Huang C, Sun M, Casillas-Espinosa PM, Shah AD, Schittenhelm RB, Sobey CG, Brady RD, O'Brien TJ, Mychasiuk R, Shultz SR, McDonald SJ Tags: Neurobiol Dis Source Type: research