Effects of Multiple Flights Following Impact- and Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury on Long-Term Outcomes: Part 1
Abstract
Under-vehicle blast (UVB)-induced traumatic brain injury (TBI), generated from improvised explosive devices (IEDs), is a unique etiological mechanism of TBI affecting warfighters present in vehicles targeted by blasts. The hyperacceleration load caused by an IED-generated UVB can directly result in a TBI independent of an impact event, however, a secondary head impact injury in the cabin can also occur. Rodent models of TBI recapitulate the cellular pathophysiology and neurobehavioral deficits seen in humans, however, successfully translating these findings to improved patient outcomes is challenging. One explanation could be the neuroanatomical differences between humans and rodents, with the latter lacking the gyri and sulci present in the former. To address this modeling difference, a ferret model of TBI was developed to evaluate the effects of Blast-alone, controlled cortical impact (CCI)-alone, and combined blast + CCI (BCCI). To our knowledge this is the first ferret polytrauma model combining TBI with UVB. Results show that BCCI causes several alterations in key cortical metabolites indicative of increased neuronal injury, oxidative stress, and glial activation as well as impaired neurotransmission and energy generation. Additionally, we found evidence that BCCI in ferrets increases hyperactivity, as well as impairs spatial memory. Taken together, we provide a military, combat-relevant model of UVB in a gyrencephalic animal, the ferret. Our results are like that which is reported in service members with blast-associated TBI regarding the neuro- pathophysiology and behavioral sequela. The results presented here will be used to address military-relevant questions on the effects of aeromedical evacuation (hypobaria) on secondary injury development to determine protocols for safe transport of service members following TBI.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 10, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1193858
Entities
People
- Amanda Hrdlick
- Boris Piskoun
- Gary Fiskum
- Julie Proctor
- Molly Goodfellow
- Parisa Rangghran
- Rao Gullapalli
- Su Xu
- Ulrich Leiste
- William Fourney
Organizations
- University of Maryland