Severity-Dependent Long-Term Spatial Learning-Memory Impairment in a Mouse Model of Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability in young adults. Long-term mental disability often occurs in patients suffering moderate and severe TBI while not as frequent in the victims of mild TBI. To explore the potential mechanism underlying this severity-dependent cognitive deficit, we subjected C57/BL6 mice to different severities of controlled cortical impact (CCI) and assessed their learning-memory functions. The mice subjected to moderate and severe TBI exhibited significantly impaired long-term spatial learning-memory ability, which was accompanied by marked white matter injury and hippocampus damage. In contrast, long-term learning-memory deficits or structural abnormalities within the hippocampus or white matter were not significant in the case of mild TBI. According to a correlation analysis, the hippocampus or white matter injury severity was more relevant to Morris water maze outcome than tissue volume. This study revealed that long-term spatial learning-memory deficits are dependent on the severity of destruction in the white matter and hippocampus. Therapeutic strategies targeting both the white matter and hippocampus may be needed to improve the neurological functions in TBI victims.

Rehabilitation Treatment and Progress of Traumatic Brain Injury Dysfunction

“…A latest study revealed that long-term spatial learning-memory deficits are dependent on the severity of destruction in the white matter and hippocampus. Therapeutic strategies targeting both the white matter and hippocampus may be needed to improve the neurological functions in TBI victims [50]. …”

Progress of Research on Diffuse Axonal Injury after Traumatic Brain Injury

“…In this way, the detection of C-tau in cerebrospinal fluid was used to quantitatively evaluate the severity of axonal injury. Investigation has shown that once the C-tau level in patients' cerebrospinal fluid reaches 2.126 mg/mL, the accuracy of prognosis of the mortality rate reaches 100% and specificity rises above 80% [46]. However, C-tau detected in serum was not found to facilitate effective evaluation of prognosis.…”

Dual roles of astrocytes in plasticity and reconstruction after traumatic brain injury

“…Traumatic brain injury (TBI) refers to a sudden trauma caused by traffic accidents, wars, violence, terrorism, falls, and sporting activity [1]. TBI is currently the primary cause of human death in young adults and one of the leading causes of fatality and disability across all ages worldwide, resulting in annual global economic losses of amounting to $US400 billion [2][3][4]. The high mortality and morbidity of TBI and the substantial economic burden affect the patients, families, and society, and have attracted public attention [5].…”