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Brain microdialysis to assess trace elements dynamics in traumatic brain injury: An exploratory study
Adriano Bernini1, Sébastien Lenglet2, Mette M Berger3
1Department of Clinical Neurosciences and NeuroDigital@NeuroTech, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland.
Plos One
|June 16, 2025
Summary
Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) alters trace elements (TEs) in the brain. Copper and selenium levels were significantly higher in serum than brain tissue in TBI patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Toxicology
Background:
- Alterations in brain trace elements (TEs) are linked to neurodegenerative diseases.
- Data on TEs in living humans with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is limited.
- Certain TEs, including copper (Cu), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn), play crucial roles in antioxidant defense.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure the evolution of TEs concentrations in the brain and serum of severe TBI patients over time.
- To investigate the dynamics of essential TEs in acute brain injury.
Main Methods:
- Severe TBI patients (n=20) were monitored using cerebral microdialysis (CMD) and blood sampling within three days of ICU admission.
- Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to quantify TEs levels in brain interstitial fluid and serum.
Main Results:
- Chromium (Cr), Cu, cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), Se, and Zn levels were quantified.
- Significant differences were observed for Cu and Se, with serum levels 8-10 fold higher than brain levels.
- No significant correlation was found between serum and brain TEs, except for Mo.
Conclusions:
- This study presents novel data on TEs concentrations in living TBI patients.
- The largest discrepancies between brain and serum TEs were observed for Cu and Se.
- Findings provide a basis for further research into TEs dynamics in acute brain injury.
