Catecholaminergic based therapies for functional recovery after TBI
Nicole D Osier1, C Edward Dixon2
1Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Brain Research
|December 30, 2015
Summary
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) alters catecholamines. Therapies targeting these neurotransmitters may improve outcomes, but more research is needed to overcome clinical trial limitations and advance TBI treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Traumatology
Background:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with significant pathophysiological changes, including alterations in catecholamines like dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine.
- While dopamine has been the most studied catecholamine in TBI, research into epinephrine and norepinephrine is also emerging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing evidence on drugs targeting the catecholaminergic system for their effects on pathophysiological and functional outcomes following TBI.
- To discuss the use of catecholamine agonists and antagonists in both pre-clinical and clinical settings.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of published pre-clinical and clinical studies.
- Analysis of evidence regarding the efficacy of specific catecholamine-targeting drugs (agonists and antagonists).
Main Results:
- Available evidence suggests that targeting the catecholaminergic system may help reduce functional deficits after TBI.
- Catecholamine agonists are frequently used in TBI patients for physiological or cognitive symptoms, or co-occurring conditions.
Conclusions:
- Therapies targeting catecholamines show potential for improving TBI outcomes.
- Clinical trials face limitations including methodology, replication issues, translation challenges, receptor complexity, and confounding factors, necessitating further research and standardized data reporting.
