title: Enduring deficits in memory and neuronal pathology after blast-induced traumatic brain injury.
abstract: Few preclinical studies have assessed the long-term neuropathology and behavioral deficits after sustaining blast-induced neurotrauma (BINT). Previous studies have shown extensive astrogliosis and cell death at acute stages (<7 days) but the temporal response at a chronic stage has yet to be ascertained. Here, we used behavioral assays, immmunohistochemistry and neurochemistry in limbic areas such as the amygdala (Amy), Hippocampus (Hipp), nucleus accumbens (Nac), and prefrontal cortex (PFC), to determine the long-term effects of a single blast exposure. Behavioral results identified elevated avoidance behavior and decreased short-term memory at either one or three months after a single blast event. At three months after BINT, markers for neurodegeneration (FJB) and microglia activation (Iba-1) increased while index of mature neurons (NeuN) significantly decreased in all brain regions examined. Gliosis (GFAP) increased in all regions except the Nac but only PFC was positive for apoptosis (caspase-3). At three months, tau was selectively elevated in the PFC and Hipp whereas α-synuclein transiently increased in the Hipp at one month after blast exposure. The composite neurochemical measure, myo-inositol+glycine/creatine, was consistently increased in each brain region three months following blast. Overall, a single blast event resulted in enduring long-term effects on behavior and neuropathological sequelae.
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Blacksburg, VA.
authors.forename: Venkata Siva Sai Sujith
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Sajja
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Blacksburg, VA.
authors.forename: W Brad
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Hubbard
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Blacksburg, VA.
authors.forename: Christina S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI.
authors.forename: Farhad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ghoddoussi
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI.|Department of Psychiatry, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI.
authors.forename: Matthew P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Galloway
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Blacksburg, VA.|Salem VA Medical Center, Research &Development Service, Salem, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Pamela J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: VandeVord
mesh_terms: D000679:Amygdala / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005911:Gliosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D051844:alpha-Synuclein / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D051844:alpha-Synuclein; D053148:Caspase 3