Experimental models in traumatic brain injury: from animal models to in vitro assays

Traumatic brain Injury (TBI) is a major public healthcare concern, affecting people of all ages. Despite advances in the diagnosis, monitoring and clinical management of TBI, many unresolved questions remain regarding its physiopathology. In an attempt to understand the pathological features of TBI and to evaluate single potential therapeutic strategies, various animal models have been developed to simulate the mechanisms of action and the clinical manifestations of TBI patients. In turn, each model represents a specific type of trauma and evaluates a specific physiopathological aspect of the cascade triggered as a result of TBI. This review describes the main experimental models currently available referred to TBI and their possible application to the clinical setting.