title: Contributions of the immune system to the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury - evidence by intravital microscopy.
abstract: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in immediate brain damage that is caused by the mechanical impact and is non-reversible. This initiates a cascade of delayed processes which cause additional-secondary-brain damage. Among these secondary mechanisms, the inflammatory response is believed to play an important role, mediating actions that can have both protective and detrimental effects on the progression of secondary brain damage. Histological data generated extensive information; however, this is only a snapshot of processes that are, in fact, very dynamic. In contrast, in vivo microscopy provides detailed insight into the temporal and spatial patterns of cellular dynamics. In this review, we aim to summarize data which was generated by in vivo microscopy, specifically investigating the immune response following brain trauma, and its potential effects on secondary brain damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University of Munich Medical Center Munich, Germany ; Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), University of Munich Medical Center Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Susanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Schwarzmaier
authors.affiliation: Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), University of Munich Medical Center Munich, Germany ; Munich Cluster of Systems Neurology Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Nikolaus
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Plesnila
keywords: brain trauma; in vivo imaging; inflammation; innate immune answer; intravital microscopy; leukocytes; microglia; secondary brain damage