Neural Mechanisms Linking Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Anxiety States in an Animal Model
Abstract
Previous correlational studies suggest that mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with an increase in the prevalence of anxiety disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). By using a relevant animal model, this research demonstrates that mild TBI can result in increased fear learning and anxiety states that mimic the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD. Furthermore, this research suggests that heightened fear and anxiety states following mild TBI may result from alterations to cell death and neuronal number in limbic brain regions such as the hippocampus and amygdala. Recent data generated from this project also suggests that experiencing psychosocial stress concurrent with mild brain injury results in serotonin dysfunction in the limbic system (particularly the hippocampus) and exacerbates anxiety states. Therefore, changes to limbic system function may underlie anxiety states that manifest following mild TBI and stress. Overall, the current rodent model of mild TBI appears to be a useful model to explore the neurobiological link between mild TBI and anxiety states, to allow better understanding of the consequences of war injuries like mild TBI, and to explore how such injury could be treated to prevent long-term disability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA570080
Entities
People
- Gina Forster
Organizations
- University of South Dakota