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Blast-induced "PTSD": Evidence from an animal model
Georgina Perez-Garcia1, Miguel A Gama Sosa2, Rita De Gasperi3
1Research and Development Service, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 130 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468, USA; Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Neuropharmacology
|September 19, 2018
Summary
Repetitive blast exposure in rats induced chronic PTSD-like behaviors without psychological trauma. These blast-induced changes suggest a potential for "PTSD" and offer insights into novel treatments for traumatic brain injury.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
- Traumatic Brain Injury Research
Background:
- Co-occurrence of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is observed in veterans.
- PTSD and mTBI may arise from combined traumas or blast injury may predispose individuals to PTSD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if blast exposure alone can induce chronic PTSD-related behavioral traits in rats.
- To determine if blast exposure sensitizes the brain to subsequent psychological stressors.
- To explore potential therapeutic interventions for blast-induced neurological changes.
Main Methods:
- Rats were exposed to repetitive low-level blasts under general anesthesia.
- Behavioral assessments were conducted at various time points post-blast exposure.
- A predator scent challenge was used to evaluate responses to psychological stressors.
- The effects of a group II metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist (BCI-838) were examined.
Main Results:
- Repetitive blast exposure induced anxiety and PTSD-related behavioral traits lasting at least 9 months.
- A subsequent predator scent challenge exacerbated anxiety-related changes.
- Blast exposure alone, without psychological stress, induced chronic PTSD-related traits.
- BCI-838 reversed these blast-induced behavioral changes.
Conclusions:
- Blast exposure can induce chronic PTSD-related behavioral traits in the absence of psychological stressors, suggesting blast-induced "PTSD".
- Blast exposure sensitizes the brain to subsequent psychological stressors.
- Group II metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonists, like BCI-838, show promise for treating blast-related brain injuries.