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Development of an Uncomplicated Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Model Modified by Weight-Drop Method and Evidenced by Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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Acute White Matter Tract Damage after Frontal Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Juan J Herrera1, Kurt Bockhorst1, Shakuntala Kondraganti1
11 Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) , McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas.
Journal of Neurotrauma
|May 4, 2016
Summary
This study used the Maryland TBI model to investigate mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in animals. Diffusion tensor imaging revealed white matter changes, and behavioral tests showed deficits, highlighting mTBI
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Engineering
- Radiology
Background:
- Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) understanding is limited.
- Animal models are crucial for replicating human mTBI features.
- Key features include DTI changes, no anatomical lesions, and neurobehavioral deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- Characterize acute (72-hour) pathophysiological changes after single mTBI.
- Utilize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), behavioral assays, and histology.
- Assess diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters and neurobehavioral outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Employed the Maryland closed head TBI model for concussive injury.
- Measured fractional anisotropy (FA), mean (MD), longitudinal (LD), and radial (RD) diffusivities.
- Conducted computerized activity monitoring and myelin basic protein (MBP) histology.
Main Results:
- Observed significant longitudinal and radial diffusivity changes in the fimbria.
- Detected significant radial diffusivity changes in the splenium of the corpus callosum.
- Showed decreased exploratory activity, ambulatory distance, velocity, and MBP expression in white matter tracts.
Conclusions:
- mTBI significantly impacts white matter tracts, particularly the fimbria and splenium.
- DTI is effective in detecting white matter integrity changes post-mTBI.
- The Maryland TBI model replicates key features of human mTBI for research.
