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. As noted by the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, the high rate of TBI and blast-related concussion events resulting from current combat operations directly impacts the health and safety of individual Service members and subsequently the level of unit readiness and troop retention. We have reported that transcranial application of a unique non-invasive nanopulsed laser optoacoustic therapy (NPLT), consisting of short laser pulses of near-infrared light and low-intensity acoustic (ultrasound) waves, generated with each short pulse and that permeate throughout the entire brain, stimulate the expression of specific factors which increase neuronal survival after TBI. In this application we propose to demonstrate, in a rodent model, that NPLT is a promising pretreatment 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. Using preventive NPLT, which causes no harm and does not impair performance, to stimulate a neuroprotective response in the brain of military personnel at high risk of being exposed to combat-associated TBI is an innovative concept that represents a leap ahead in the management of active duty military personnel. The proposed research is expected to make an important and original contribution to advancing solutions relevant to military health and medicine. Using NPLT for non-invasive brain stimulation of individuals at risk of being exposed to TBI represents an innovative game changer approach leading to improved outcomes for Service members, Veterans, and the general public (e.g., athletes before a sporting event). Our proprietary NPLT system is safe, easy to use, stress-free for the subject, and operates at levels of optical energy that are eye-and skin-safe. Translation of NPLT to human patients will therefore be easily accomplished once we have completed the proposed experimental work. Because the impacts of TBI are felt within each branch of the Service and throughout both the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs health care systems, the development of an enhanced TBI treatment to decrease morbidity and improve immediate and long-term outcomes, here proposed, has the potential to benefit multiple medical research program areas such as Military Operational Medicine, Combat Casualty Care, and Clinical and Rehabilitative Medicine.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 19, 2019
- Source ID
- W81XWH1910522
Entities
People
- Maria-adelaide Micci
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of Texas Medical Branch