Nanopulsed Laser Optoacoustic Therapy for Pretreatment and Post-Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents both an acute and a chronic medical challenge among service members and veterans. The purpose of this research is to demonstrate, in a rodent model, that a unique non-invasive nano-pulsed laser optoacoustic therapy (NPLT) is a promising pre-treatment for military personnel at high risk of combat-related TBI and a promising treatment after combat-related TBI, with the goal of limiting onset and progression of neuropathology and cognitive impairment. Our data show that NPLT, applied 24 hours before blast-induced brain injury (bTBI), prevents vestibulomotor dysfunction (in a focal model of bTBI) and cognitive dysfunctions (in a diffuse model of bTBI). Surprisingly, when rats were subjected to repetitive bTBI (2 consecutive bTBI 48 hours apart), we found no significant vestibulomotor and cognitive dysfunctions. However, after both single and repetitive bTBI, we found that NPLT prevented neuroinflammation and loss of myelin in the brain. Taken together our results suggest that NPLT might be an effective preventative treatment for combat soldiers at high risk of bTBI.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1191138
Entities
People
- Maria-adelaide Micci
Organizations
- University of Texas Medical Branch