Journal of neurotrauma
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Journal of neurotrauma · Apr 2024
Spatial Hotspots and Sociodemographic Profiles Associated with Traumatic Brain Injury in Nova Scotia.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability, primarily caused by falls and motor vehicle collisions (MVCs). Although many TBIs are preventable, there is a notable lack of studies exploring the association of geographically defined TBI hotspots with social deprivation. Geographic information systems (GIS) can be used to identify at-risk neighborhoods (hotspots) for targeted interventions. ⋯ First, it demonstrates the distribution of TBI hotspots by major injury causes using the smallest available geographical unit. Second, we disentangle the various pathways through which deprivation impacts the risk of main mechanisms of TBI. These findings provide valuable insights for public health officials to design targeted injury prevention strategies in high-risk areas.
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Journal of neurotrauma · Apr 2024
Trigeminal sensitization in a closed head model for mild traumatic brain injury.
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is often accompanied by neurological and ocular symptoms that involve trigeminal nerve pathways. Laser-induced shock wave (LISW) was applied to the skull of male rats as a model for mTBI, while behavioral and neural recording methods were used to assess trigeminal function. The LISW caused greater eye wiping behavior to ocular instillation of hypertonic saline (Sham = 4.83 ± 0.65 wipes/5 min, LISW = 12.71 ± 1.89 wipes/5 min, p < 0.01) and a marked reduction in the time spent in bright light consistent with enhanced periocular and intraocular hypersensitivity, respectively (Sham = 16.3 ± 5.6 s, LISW = 115.5 ± 27.3 s, p < 0.01). ⋯ By contrast, topical meningeal application of phenylephrine significantly reduced light-evoked responses of Vi/Vc and Vc/C1 neurons. These data suggested that neurons in both regions became sensitized after LISW and were responsive to changes in meningeal blood flow. Neurons at the Vi/Vc transition and at Vc/C1, however, likely serve different roles in mediating the neurovascular and sensory aspects of mTBI.
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Journal of neurotrauma · Apr 2024
Neurobehavioral abnormalities in offspring of young adult male rats with a history of traumatic brain injury.
Children of parents with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are more likely to develop psychiatric disorders. This association is usually attributed to TBI-induced changes in parents' personality and families' social environment. We tested the hypothesis that offspring of young adult male rats with TBI develop neurodevelopmental abnormalities in the absence of direct social contact with sires. ⋯ F1 male offspring of TBI sires exhibited abnormalities in all behavioral tests, while their F1 female counterparts had abnormal pre-pulse inhibition responses only. F1 male offspring of TBI sires also had reduced mRNA levels of hippocampal Nr3c1 and Nr3c2, as well as hypothalamic and hippocampal Bdnf, whereas increases in inflammatory markers were more profound in F1 females. These findings suggest that offspring of sires with a history of a moderate TBI that involved craniectomy under SEVO anesthesia for 40 min, develop sex-dependent neurobehavioral abnormalities in the absence of direct social interaction between the sire and the offspring.
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Journal of neurotrauma · Apr 2024
ReviewBeta-Adrenergic Receptor Polymorphism and Patho-Genetics of Trauma: A Transformational Frontier of Personalized Medicine in Neurotrauma.
Trauma is a serious public health issue, and remains a major cause of mortality and disability worldwide. The notion that genetic factors contribute to an individual's response to traumatic injury has advanced significantly. Genetic variations in severely injured patients have been linked to mortality, morbidity, and psychological outcomes. ⋯ Therefore, it is imperative to identify potential genetic and physiological markers to guide early management and prognosis of trauma. Such knowledge could pave the way for the discovery of novel biomarkers that can identify a transdiagnostic subgroup that is at high risk and requires early intervention. This could lead to the adoption of personalized medical approaches in neurotrauma care.
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Journal of neurotrauma · Apr 2024
Randomized Controlled TrialComparative efficacy of high-intensity training vs conventional training in individuals with chronic traumatic brain injury: a pilot randomized controlled study.
Numerous studies have evaluated the efficacy of interventions to improve locomotion after acute-onset brain injury, although most focus on patients with stroke, with less attention toward traumatic brain injury (TBI). For example, a number of studies in patients post-stroke have evaluated the effects of high-intensity training (HIT) attempting to maximize stepping practice, while no studies have attempted this intervention in patients with TBI. The purpose of this blinded-assessor randomized trial was to evaluate the effects of HIT focused on stepping practice versus conventional training on walking and secondary outcomes in individuals with TBI. ⋯ Greater gains were also observed in estimates of aerobic capacity and efficiency after HIT, with additional improvements in selected cognitive assessments. The present study suggests that the amount and intensity of stepping practice may be important determinants of improved locomotor outcomes in patients with chronic TBI, with possible secondary benefits on aerobic capacity/efficiency and cognition. Clinical Trial Registration-URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/; Unique Identifier: NCT04503473.