Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2026
Advanced Diffusion Imaging in The Hippocampus of Rats with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: August 14, 2019
Brain-Derived Microparticles in Patients with Severe Isolated TBI
M Nekludov1, B-M Bellander2, D Gryth1
1a Karolinska Institutet, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, section for Anesthesiology and Intensive Care , Karolinska University Hospital Solna , Stockholm , Sweden.
Primary Objective:
to investigate the presence of circulating microparticles (MPs) of brain tissue origin in the systemic and cerebrovenous blood of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Research Design:
Prospective observational study in 15 consecutive patients with severe isolated TBI.
Methods And Procedures:
We repeatedly measured concentrations of MPs expressing glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and aquaporin-4 (AQP4), in arterial and cerebrovenous blood at admittance to hospital and up to 72 hours after the injury.
Main Outcomes And Results:
Concentrations of MPs expressing GFAP and AQP4 were significantly higher in the TBI group compared with healthy controls: GFAP 2.0 [1.1-7.9] vs. 1.3 [1-2.1] × 106/mL, p < 0.001; AQP4 0.1 [0.07-0.22] vs. 0.08 [0.06-0.11] × 106/mL, p < 0.001 (median, range). No transcranial gradients were found. Levels of NSE-expressing MPs were also higher in the TBI group compared with healthy controls: 0.4 [0.25-2.1] vs. 0.26 [0.13-0.98] × 106/mL, p < 0.05; however, regarding NSE-positive non-platelet MPs, there were no differences between patients and controls.
Conclusions:
Patients with TBI have higher numbers of brain-derived MPs. Further studies are needed, however, to identify specific and sensitive MP markers of brain injury.
Insights
Patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) exhibit elevated levels of circulating brain-derived microparticles (MPs). These findings suggest MPs may serve as biomarkers for TBI, though further research is needed for specific markers.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomarkers
- Trauma Research
Background:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of mortality and disability.
- Identifying reliable biomarkers for TBI is crucial for diagnosis and management.
- Circulating microparticles (MPs) are emerging as potential indicators of cellular damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and concentration of brain-derived microparticles (MPs) in patients with severe TBI.
- To assess MPs expressing glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and aquaporin-4 (AQP4) in systemic and cerebrovenous blood.
- To compare MP levels in TBI patients with healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational study involving 15 patients with severe isolated TBI.
- Repeated measurements of MP concentrations in arterial and cerebrovenous blood.
- MP analysis included markers GFAP, NSE, and AQP4 at baseline and up to 72 hours post-injury.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher concentrations of GFAP- and AQP4-expressing MPs were found in TBI patients compared to controls.
- NSE-expressing MP levels were also elevated in the TBI group.
- No significant transcranial gradients were observed for these MPs.
Conclusions:
- Patients with severe TBI demonstrate increased levels of circulating brain-derived MPs.
- These findings highlight the potential of MPs as biomarkers for brain injury.
- Further research is required to identify specific and sensitive MP markers for TBI.
More Related Videos
10:03Tracking Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide-labeled Mesenchymal Stem Cells using MRI after Intranasal Delivery in a Traumatic Brain Injury Murine Model
Published on: November 21, 2019
05:19Evaluation of Blood-Brain Barrier Breakdown in a Mouse Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: October 18, 2024
