Models of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) has become a rising epidemic, affecting millions of people each year. Even though it is the most common type of brain injury, our understanding of the science underlying mild TBI is just in its infancy. There has been an explosion of basic science research interest in mild TBI, as emerging clinical evidence is suggestive that concussion and subconcussion may result in detrimental long-term neurological sequelae, particularly when occurring repetitively. Many animal models have been developed to study the different pathological mechanisms implicated in TBI, and more recently there has been a heightened focus on modeling mild TBI in the laboratory as well. The most widely used models of TBI have been adapted for experimental mild TBI research, although more work still remains. The ability to create improved diagnostic measures and treatment approaches for concussion depend on the development and characterization of clinically relevant models of mild TBI. This review aims to provide a broad general overview of the current efforts to model mild TBI in animals and the challenges and limitations that exist in translating this behavioral, physiological, and anatomic knowledge from the bench to the clinical arena.

Neuroprotective pentapeptide CN-105 is associated with reduced sterile inflammation and improved functional outcomes in a traumatic brain injury murine model

“…Despite these limitations, a number of murine models have been developed to model focal injury(controlled cortical impact models) and closed head injury. It is important to note that all of these models have potential limitations and advantages, and may provide complementary information(reviewed in refs 77 and 78). Our model of closed head injury was chosen because it replicates many of the histological features(diffuse gliosis, hippocampal injury) and clinical sequelae(vestibulomotor deficits and long term neurocognitive deficits) associated with human moderate closed head injury.…”

Treatment of traumatic brain injury with anti-inflammatory drugs

“…The two common open head injury models are fluid percussion and controlled cortical impact (Johnson et al, 2015; Petraglia et al, 2014). Controlled cortical impact produces a focal injury in the cortex at the site of impact.…”

“…White matter injury following controlled cortical impact is more diffuse than gray matter injury (Johnson et al, 2015). Fluid percussion produces a more diffuse gray and white matter injury than controlled cortical impact (Johnson et al, 2015; Petraglia et al, 2014). Fluid percussion and controlled cortical impact produces a more uniform injury than closed head models (Johnson et al, 2015).…”

“…Anxious or depressive-like symptoms are frequently assessed as well (Petraglia et al, 2014). Many studies also use behavioral tests of cognitive function or memory.…”

Validation of Acoustic Wave Induced Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats

“…TBI occurs when a blow to the head displaces the brain beyond the blood-brain barrier resulting in small lesions in the white matter in mild TBI, to more extreme subdural hematoma and damaged affected neurons in moderate and severe TBI [3]. When the brain is displaced beyond the cerebrospinal fluid it sits in, it collides into the bony skull and can cause blood vessels in the brain to rupture in moderate and severe TBI [4]. The disruption in the cerebral vasculature prevents adequate blood flow, depleting neurons of oxygen and essential nutrients.…”