Detection of brain atrophy following traumatic brain injury using gravimetric techniques

We hypothesized, that with atrophy, the correlation between water content and specific gravity of brain solids would break down signifying the onset of the atrophic process. The correlation between tissue water content, specific gravity of solids and ventricular size was studied in an impact acceleration model of closed head injury of the rat. Adult Sprague Dawley rats weighing 350 to 375 grams (n = 63) were separated into two groups: Group 1: Sham (n = 21), Group II: Trauma (n = 42). Water content was assessed using both gravimetric method and drying-weighing method at 1 hour, on days 1, 3, 7, 14, 28, and 42 in the trauma group as well as in the control group. Ventricular size was measured in cm2 on the MRI computer console in the coronal section at the coronal suture at the same time points. In the trauma group we found a significant increase (p < 0.01) in water content during the first week except on day 3 and there was a good correlation between the results of water content using both methods (p < 0.001). However, this relationship was poorly correlated after day 14 (p = 0.25). Although the ventricular size was the smallest at 1 hour post trauma, it significantly increased over the next 3 days (p < 0.001). On day 7 and 14 ventricular size decreased to normal size, yet gradually increased and then reached a significantly larger size on 42 days post trauma again (p < 0.01). We may consider, that brain edema following CHI begins immediately following trauma and resolves within 2 weeks. After 14 days degenerative change occurs in the cortex, as detected by specific gravity measurements which signifies the onset of the atrophic process and subsequent post traumatic ventricular dilatation.