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Updated: Aug 13, 2026
Controlled Cortical Impact Model for Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: August 5, 2014
Widespread microglial activation in patients deceased from traumatic brain injury
Antonio Velázquez1, Marisa Ortega, Santiago Rojas
1Departamento de Ciencias Morfológicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain and.
Primary Objective:
The role of microglial activation in traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been extensively described in established animal models. In contrast, very few studies have analysed this process in human patients, the majority being focused on the local reaction in the contused parenchyma. In this work, the main objective was the analysis of microglial activation in brain regions distant from the primary lesion.
Research Design:
Morphological changes of microglia were evaluated in the cerebral cortex of patients deceased from TBI in comparison with control subjects.
Methods And Procedures:
Cortical samples from five cases with TBI and 10 controls were evaluated using Ricinus communis lectin histochemistry and conventional Hematoxylin-eosin staining.
Main Outcomes And Results:
It was observed that microglial cells from patients with TBI presented shorter and thicker cellular projections compared with controls. Moreover, the percentage of histological area reactive to lectin was statistically higher in samples from subjects with TBI. These signs of microglial activation were observed in all of the analysed cortical areas, thus indicating a generalized effect on the whole cerebral cortex. The results are consistent with previous imaging PET studies performed in living patients with the 11C-PK11195 radiotracer.
Conclusions:
The findings indicate that TBI induces a widespread activation of brain microglia which affects all cortical areas, including those distant from the contusion site.
Insights
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes widespread microglial activation throughout the entire cerebral cortex, not just at the injury site. This study analyzed microglial changes in human TBI patients, revealing generalized effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuropathology
- Neuroinflammation
Background:
- Microglial activation is a key response to traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Most research focuses on local reactions at the injury site in animal models.
- Limited studies examine microglial activation in distant human brain regions post-TBI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze microglial activation in human brain regions distant from the primary traumatic brain injury lesion.
- To investigate the extent and distribution of microglial response following TBI in humans.
Main Methods:
- Histochemical analysis of microglial morphology using Ricinus communis lectin.
- Hematoxylin-eosin staining of cortical samples from TBI patients and control subjects.
- Quantitative assessment of microglial changes and lectin reactivity.
Main Results:
- Microglial cells in TBI patients exhibited shorter, thicker projections compared to controls.
- A statistically significant higher percentage of lectin-reactive area was observed in TBI samples.
- These signs of microglial activation were present across all analyzed cortical areas, indicating a generalized effect.
Conclusions:
- Traumatic brain injury induces a widespread activation of brain microglia.
- This microglial activation affects all cortical areas, extending beyond the primary contusion site.
- Findings align with previous in-vivo PET imaging studies in TBI patients.
