Ultrasensitive Blood Tests for Investigating Pathogenesis of Postconcussive Neurologic Conditions
Abstract
This project aims to develop new tools for studying the long-term health effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Service members and Veterans who have chronic neurological symptoms months to decades after suffering TBI. These symptoms can include chronic headaches, mood changes, depression, slower executive function, difficulty concentrating, and insomnia. By comparing the blood of military personnel with and without a history of TBI, this study seeks to understand the biological factors that influence why some people recover while some have long-term effects from TBI. New insights from this project may uncover ways to prevent or treat the long-term effects of TBI. Moreover, the work performed in this project may lead to a simple blood test to track the recovery and response to treatment of Service members or Veterans affected by TBI. The overall strategy of this project is to develop advanced blood tests for monitoring specific biological processes that have been linked to TBI and neurodegeneration. It is difficult to follow changes in the brains of living Service members and Veterans as they recover from TBI. Direct study of brain tissue is not possible, and tests based on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are not ideal because the procedure for obtaining CSF is complicated and risky. Also, brain imaging (MRI [magnetic resonance imaging] and EEG [electroencephalogram]) alone does not provide enough information about the changes occurring in the brain until a significant amount of damage has occurred. Blood tests have not been very useful because they are not sensitive enough to measure key proteins at low enough levels. Using new technology, we will develop extremely sensitive blood tests for a number of key proteins associated with the biology of brain degeneration. In order to better understand the long-term effects of TBI, we will use the blood tests to measure amounts of biomarkers in a unique collection of plasma samples collected from military personnel who have long-term symptoms after TBI. The biomarker levels will be compared to the severity of symptoms and brain damage to identify which biomarkers are linked to certain types of symptoms or damage and to help understand the biological pathways involved. This information can be used by other researchers to potentially develop drugs or other therapies to help reduce or eliminate long-term brain degradation after TBI.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 29, 2018
- Source ID
- W81XWH1710648
Entities
People
- Jeff Debad
Organizations
- Meso Scale Diagnostics (United States)
- United States Army