Lifelong Chronic Sleep Disruption in a Mouse Model of Traumatic Brain Injury
Andrew R Morris1, Erwin K Gudenschwager Basso1, Miguel A Gutierrez-Monreal1
1Department of Physiology and Aging, Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Neurotrauma Reports
|January 30, 2024
Summary
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in mice caused chronic sleep disturbances and altered circadian rhythms. This new rodent model reveals lifelong effects of TBI on sleep and behavior.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sleep Medicine
- Traumatic Brain Injury Research
Background:
- Chronic sleep/wake disturbances (SWDs) are increasingly recognized in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients.
- Underlying mechanisms of TBI-associated SWDs are understudied, highlighting the need for animal models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a chronic TBI rodent model.
- To investigate the lifelong effects of TBI on sleep/wake behavior and associated phenotypes.
Main Methods:
- Repetitive midline fluid percussion injury (rmFPI) was performed in adult mice.
- Sleep/wake behavior was monitored using the non-invasive PiezoSleep system before and monthly after injury.
- Brain tissue loss and neuropathology markers were assessed.
Main Results:
- TBI mice showed significantly reduced sleep duration starting 3 months post-injury.
- Circadian locomotor activity and reduced anxiety-like behavior were observed in TBI mice.
- TBI mice exhibited decreased weight gain, reduced lean mass, brain tissue loss, and hypothalamic neuroinflammation.
Conclusions:
- This study establishes a chronic TBI rodent model with lifelong sleep/wake and circadian phenotypes.
- The model demonstrates a critical time window for TBI pathology and associated behavioral changes.
- This model can be used to investigate molecular mechanisms of chronic TBI-induced sleep disturbances.
