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Smith KA, Raskin MR, Donovan MH, Raghunath V, Mansoorshahi S, Telch MJ, Shumake J, Noble-Haeusslein LJ, Monfils MH. Examining the long-term effects of traumatic brain injury on fear extinction in male rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1206073. [PMID: 37397129 PMCID: PMC10313105 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1206073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a strong association between traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and the development of psychiatric disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Exposure-based therapy is a first-line intervention for individuals who suffer from PTSD and other anxiety-related disorders; however, up to 50% of individuals with PTSD do not respond well to this approach. Fear extinction, a core mechanism underlying exposure-based therapy, is a procedure in which a repeated presentation of a conditioned stimulus in the absence of an unconditioned stimulus leads to a decrease in fear expression, and is a useful tool to better understand exposure-based therapy. Identifying predictors of extinction would be useful in developing alternative treatments for the non-responders. We recently found that CO2 reactivity predicts extinction phenotypes in rats, likely through the activation of orexin receptors in the lateral hypothalamus. While studies have reported mixed results in extinction of fear after TBI, none have examined the long-term durability of this phenotype in the more chronically injured brain. Here we tested the hypothesis that TBI results in a long-term deficit in fear extinction, and that CO2 reactivity would be predictive of this extinction phenotype. Isoflurane-anesthetized adult male rats received TBI (n = 59) (produced by a controlled cortical impactor) or sham surgery (n = 29). One month post-injury or sham surgery, rats underwent a CO2 or air challenge, followed by fear conditioning, extinction, and fear expression testing. TBI rats exposed to CO2 (TBI-CO2) showed no difference during extinction or fear expression relative to shams exposed to CO2 (sham-CO2). However, TBI-CO2 rats, showed significantly better fear expression than TBI rats exposed to air (TBI-air). In contrast to previous findings, we observed no relationship between CO2 reactivity and post-extinction fear expression in either the sham or TBI rats. However, compared to the previously observed naïve sample, we observed more variability in post-extinction fear expression but a very similar distribution of CO2 reactivity in the current sample. Isoflurane anesthesia may lead to interoceptive threat habituation, possibly via action on orexin receptors in the lateral hypothalamus, and may interact with CO2 exposure, resulting in enhanced extinction. Future work will directly test this possibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. A. Smith
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - M. R. Raskin
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - M. H. Donovan
- Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - V. Raghunath
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - S. Mansoorshahi
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - M. J. Telch
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Institute of Mental Health Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - J. Shumake
- Institute of Mental Health Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - L. J. Noble-Haeusslein
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Department of Neurology, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - M. H. Monfils
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
- Institute of Mental Health Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
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2
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Baskin BM, Logsdon AF, Janet Lee S, Foresi BD, Peskind E, Banks WA, Cook DG, Schindler AG. Timing matters: Sex differences in inflammatory and behavioral outcomes following repetitive blast mild traumatic brain injury. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 110:222-236. [PMID: 36907289 PMCID: PMC10106404 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Repetitive blast-related mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) caused by exposure to high explosives is increasingly common among warfighters as well as civilians. While women have been serving in military positions with increased risk of blast exposure since 2016, there are few published reports examining sex as a biological variable in models of blast mTBI, greatly limiting diagnosis and treatment capabilities. As such, here we examined outcomes of repetitive blast trauma in female and male mice in relation to potential behavioral, inflammatory, microbiome, and vascular dysfunction at multiple timepoints. METHODS In this study we utilized a well-established blast overpressure model to induce repetitive (3x) blast-mTBI in both female and male mice. Acutely following repetitive exposure, we measured serum and brain cytokine levels, blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, fecal microbial abundance, and locomotion and anxiety-like behavior in the open field assay. At the one-month timepoint, in female and male mice we assessed behavioral correlates of mTBI and PTSD-related symptoms commonly reported by Veterans with a history of blast-mTBI using the elevated zero maze, acoustic startle, and conditioned odorant aversion paradigms. RESULTS Repetitive blast exposure resulted in both similar (e.g., increased IL-6), and disparate (e.g., IL-10 increase only in females) patterns of acute serum and brain cytokine as well as gut microbiome changes in female and male mice. Acute BBB disruption following repetitive blast exposure was apparent in both sexes. While female and male blast mice both exhibited acute locomotor and anxiety-like deficits in the open field assay, only male mice exhibited adverse behavioral outcomes that lasted at least one-month. DISCUSSION Representing a novel survey of potential sex differences following repetitive blast trauma, our results demonstrate unique similar yet divergent patterns of blast-induced dysfunction in female vs. male mice and highlight novel targets for future diagnosis and therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britahny M Baskin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
| | - Aric F Logsdon
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA; Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Suhjung Janet Lee
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
| | - Brian D Foresi
- Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH 44272, USA
| | - Elaine Peskind
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; VA Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
| | - William A Banks
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA; Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - David G Cook
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA; Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; VA Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Abigail G Schindler
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA; Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; VA Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA.
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3
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Babb JA, Zuberer A, Heinrichs S, Rumbika KK, Alfiler L, Lakis GA, Leite-Morris KA, Kaplan GB. Disturbances in fear extinction learning after mild traumatic brain injury in mice are accompanied by alterations in dendritic plasticity in the medial prefrontal cortex and basolateral nucleus of the amygdala. Brain Res Bull 2023; 198:15-26. [PMID: 37031792 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have emerged as the signature injuries of the U.S. veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and frequently co-occur in both military and civilian and populations. To better understand how fear learning and underlying neural systems might be altered after mTBI we examined the acquisition of cued fear conditioning and its extinction along with brain morphology and dendritic plasticity in a mouse model of mTBI. To induce mTBI in adult male C57BL/6J mice, a lateral fluid percussive injury (LFP 1.7) was produced using a fluid pulse of 1.7 atmosphere force to the right parietal lobe. Behavior in LFP 1.7 mice was compared to behavior in mice from two separate control groups: mice subjected to craniotomy without LFP injury (Sham) and mice that did not undergo surgery (Unoperated). Following behavioral testing, neural endpoints (dendritic structural plasticity and neuronal volume) were assessed in the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA), which plays a critical sensory role in fear learning, and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), responsible for executive functions and inhibition of fear behaviors. No gross motor abnormalities or increased anxiety-like behaviors were observed in LFP or Sham mice after surgery compared to Unoperated mice. We found that all mice acquired fear behavior, assessed as conditioned freezing to auditory cue in a single session of 6 trials, and acquisition was similar across treatment groups. Using a linear mixed effects analysis, we showed that fear behavior decreased overall over 6 days of extinction training with no effect of treatment group across extinction days. However, a significant interaction was demonstrated between the treatment groups during within-session freezing behavior (5 trials per day) during extinction training. Specifically, freezing behavior increased across within-session extinction trials in LFP 1.7 mice, whereas freezing behavior in control groups did not change on extinction test days, reflecting a dissociation between within-trial and between-trial fear extinction. Additionally, LFP mice demonstrated bilateral increases in dendritic spine density in the BLA and decreases in dendritic complexity in the PFC. The translational implications are that individuals with TBI undergoing fear extinction therapy may demonstrate within-session aberrant learning that could be targeted for more effective treatment interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Babb
- Research Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury, MA, 02132 USA; Mental Health Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury, MA, 02132 USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115 USA.
| | - Agnieszka Zuberer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, 07743 Jena, Germany.
| | - Stephen Heinrichs
- Research Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury, MA, 02132 USA.
| | - Kendra K Rumbika
- Research Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury, MA, 02132 USA.
| | - Lauren Alfiler
- Research Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury, MA, 02132 USA.
| | - Gabrielle A Lakis
- Research Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury, MA, 02132 USA; Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02218 USA.
| | - Kimberly A Leite-Morris
- Research Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury, MA, 02132 USA; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118 USA.
| | - Gary B Kaplan
- Research Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury, MA, 02132 USA; Mental Health Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury, MA, 02132 USA; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118 USA; Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118 USA.
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4
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Shi Y, Wu X, Zhou J, Cui W, Wang J, Hu Q, Zhang S, Han L, Zhou M, Luo J, Wang Q, Liu H, Feng D, Ge S, Qu Y. Single-Nucleus RNA Sequencing Reveals that Decorin Expression in the Amygdala Regulates Perineuronal Nets Expression and Fear Conditioning Response after Traumatic Brain Injury. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2104112. [PMID: 35038242 PMCID: PMC8895134 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202104112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a risk factor for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Augmented fear is a defining characteristic of PTSD, and the amygdala is considered the main brain region to process fear. The mechanism by which the amygdala is involved in fear conditioning after TBI is still unclear. Using single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), transcriptional changes in cells in the amygdala after TBI are investigated. In total, 72 328 nuclei are obtained from the sham and TBI groups. 7 cell types, and analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) reveals widespread transcriptional changes in each cell type after TBI are identified. In in vivo experiments, it is demonstrated that Decorin (Dcn) expression in the excitatory neurons of the amygdala significantly increased after TBI, and Dcn knockout in the amygdala mitigates TBI-associated fear conditioning. Of note, this effect is caused by a Dcn-mediated decrease in the expression of perineuronal nets (PNNs), which affect the glutamate-γ-aminobutyric acid balance in the amygdala. Finally, the results suggest that Dcn functions by interacting with collagen VI α3 (Col6a3). Consequently, the findings reveal transcriptional changes in different cell types of the amygdala after TBI and provide direct evidence that Dcn relieves fear conditioning by regulating PNNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingwu Shi
- Department of NeurosurgeryTangdu HospitalFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxi710038China
| | - Xun Wu
- Department of NeurosurgeryTangdu HospitalFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxi710038China
| | - Jinpeng Zhou
- Department of NeurosurgeryTangdu HospitalFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxi710038China
| | - Wenxing Cui
- Department of NeurosurgeryTangdu HospitalFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxi710038China
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of NeurosurgeryTangdu HospitalFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxi710038China
| | - Qing Hu
- Department of NeurosurgeryTangdu HospitalFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxi710038China
| | - Shenghao Zhang
- Department of NeurosurgeryTangdu HospitalFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxi710038China
| | - Liying Han
- Department of NeurosurgeryTangdu HospitalFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxi710038China
| | - Meixuan Zhou
- School of Biomedical EngineeringShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai200240China
| | - Jianing Luo
- Department of NeurosurgeryWest Theater General HospitalChengduSichuan610083China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of NeurosurgeryTangdu HospitalFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxi710038China
| | - Haixiao Liu
- Department of NeurosurgeryTangdu HospitalFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxi710038China
| | - Dayun Feng
- Department of NeurosurgeryTangdu HospitalFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxi710038China
| | - Shunnan Ge
- Department of NeurosurgeryTangdu HospitalFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxi710038China
| | - Yan Qu
- Department of NeurosurgeryTangdu HospitalFourth Military Medical UniversityXi'anShaanxi710038China
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5
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Baskin B, Lee SJ, Skillen E, Wong K, Rau H, Hendrickson RC, Pagulayan K, Raskind MA, Peskind ER, Phillips PEM, Cook DG, Schindler AG. Repetitive Blast Exposure Increases Appetitive Motivation and Behavioral Inflexibility in Male Mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 15:792648. [PMID: 35002648 PMCID: PMC8727531 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.792648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Blast exposure (via detonation of high explosives) represents a major potential trauma source for Servicemembers and Veterans, often resulting in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Executive dysfunction (e.g., alterations in memory, deficits in mental flexibility, difficulty with adaptability) is commonly reported by Veterans with a history of blast-related mTBI, leading to impaired daily functioning and decreased quality of life, but underlying mechanisms are not fully understood and have not been well studied in animal models of blast. To investigate potential underlying behavioral mechanisms contributing to deficits in executive functioning post-blast mTBI, here we examined how a history of repetitive blast exposure in male mice affects anxiety/compulsivity-like outcomes and appetitive goal-directed behavior using an established mouse model of blast mTBI. We hypothesized that repetitive blast exposure in male mice would result in anxiety/compulsivity-like outcomes and corresponding performance deficits in operant-based reward learning and behavioral flexibility paradigms. Instead, results demonstrate an increase in reward-seeking and goal-directed behavior and a congruent decrease in behavioral flexibility. We also report chronic adverse behavioral changes related to anxiety, compulsivity, and hyperarousal. In combination, these data suggest that potential deficits in executive function following blast mTBI are at least in part related to enhanced compulsivity/hyperreactivity and behavioral inflexibility and not simply due to a lack of motivation or inability to acquire task parameters, with important implications for subsequent diagnosis and treatment management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britahny Baskin
- VA Northwest Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Suhjung Janet Lee
- VA Northwest Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Emma Skillen
- VA Northwest Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Katrina Wong
- VA Northwest Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Holly Rau
- VA Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Rebecca C Hendrickson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,VA Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Kathleen Pagulayan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,VA Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Murray A Raskind
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,VA Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Elaine R Peskind
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,VA Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Paul E M Phillips
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - David G Cook
- VA Northwest Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Abigail G Schindler
- VA Northwest Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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6
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Kostelnik C, Lucki I, Choi KH, Browne CA. Translational relevance of fear conditioning in rodent models of mild traumatic brain injury. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 127:365-376. [PMID: 33961927 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.04.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) increases the risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military populations. Utilizing translationally relevant animal models is imperative for establishing a platform to delineate neurobehavioral deficits common to clinical PTSD that emerge in the months to years following mTBI. Such platforms are required to facilitate preclinical development of novel therapeutics. First, this mini review provides an overview of the incidence of PTSD following mTBI in military service members. Secondly, the translational relevance of fear conditioning paradigms used in conjunction with mTBI in preclinical studies is evaluated. Next, this review addresses an important gap in the current preclinical literature; while incubation of fear has been studied in other areas of research, there are relatively few studies pertaining to the enhancement of cued and contextual fear memory over time following mTBI. Incubation of fear paradigms in conjunction with mTBI are proposed as a novel behavioral approach to advance this critical area of research. Lastly, this review discusses potential neurobiological substrates implicated in altered fear memory post mTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Kostelnik
- Neuroscience Program, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda MD 20814, United States
| | - Irwin Lucki
- Neuroscience Program, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda MD 20814, United States; Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda MD 20814, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda MD 20814, United States
| | - Kwang H Choi
- Neuroscience Program, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda MD 20814, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda MD 20814, United States.
| | - Caroline A Browne
- Neuroscience Program, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda MD 20814, United States; Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda MD 20814, United States.
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7
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Nonaka M, Taylor WW, Bukalo O, Tucker LB, Fu AH, Kim Y, McCabe JT, Holmes A. Behavioral and Myelin-Related Abnormalities after Blast-Induced Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice. J Neurotrauma 2021; 38:1551-1571. [PMID: 33605175 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2020.7254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In civilian and military settings, mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a common consequence of impacts to the head, sudden blows to the body, and exposure to high-energy atmospheric shockwaves from blast. In some cases, mTBI from blast exposure results in long-term emotional and cognitive deficits and an elevated risk for certain neuropsychiatric diseases. Here, we tested the effects of mTBI on various forms of auditory-cued fear learning and other measures of cognition in male C57BL/6J mice after single or repeated blast exposure (blast TBI; bTBI). bTBI produced an abnormality in the temporal organization of cue-induced freezing behavior in a conditioned trace fear test. Spatial working memory, evaluated by the Y-maze task performance, was also deleteriously affected by bTBI. Reverse-transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis for glial markers indicated an alteration in the expression of myelin-related genes in the hippocampus and corpus callosum 1-8 weeks after bTBI. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analyses detected bTBI-related myelin and axonal damage in the hippocampus and corpus callosum. Together, these data suggest a possible link between blast-induced mTBI, myelin/axonal injury, and cognitive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mio Nonaka
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - William W Taylor
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Olena Bukalo
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Laura B Tucker
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.,Preclinical Studies Core, Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Amanda H Fu
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.,Preclinical Studies Core, Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Yeonho Kim
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.,Preclinical Studies Core, Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Joseph T McCabe
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.,Preclinical Studies Core, Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Andrew Holmes
- Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Rockville, Maryland, USA
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8
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Logsdon AF, Lucke-Wold BP, Turner RC, Collins SM, Reeder EL, Huber JD, Rosen CL, Robson MJ, Plattner F. Low-intensity Blast Wave Model for Preclinical Assessment of Closed-head Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Rodents. J Vis Exp 2020:10.3791/61244. [PMID: 33226021 PMCID: PMC8179023 DOI: 10.3791/61244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a large-scale public health problem. Mild TBI is the most prevalent form of neurotrauma and accounts for a large number of medical visits in the United States. There are currently no FDA-approved treatments available for TBI. The increased incidence of military-related, blast-induced TBI further accentuates the urgent need for effective TBI treatments. Therefore, new preclinical TBI animal models that recapitulate aspects of human blast-related TBI will greatly advance the research efforts into the neurobiological and pathophysiological processes underlying mild to moderate TBI as well as the development of novel therapeutic strategies for TBI. Here we present a reliable, reproducible model for the investigation of the molecular, cellular, and behavioral effects of mild to moderate blast-induced TBI. We describe a step-by-step protocol for closed-head, blast-induced mild TBI in rodents using a bench-top setup consisting of a gas-driven shock tube equipped with piezoelectric pressure sensors to ensure consistent test conditions. The benefits of the setup that we have established are its relative low-cost, ease of installation, ease of use and high-throughput capacity. Further advantages of this non-invasive TBI model include the scalability of the blast peak overpressure and the generation of controlled reproducible outcomes. The reproducibility and relevance of this TBI model has been evaluated in a number of downstream applications, including neurobiological, neuropathological, neurophysiological and behavioral analyses, supporting the use of this model for the characterization of processes underlying the etiology of mild to moderate TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aric F Logsdon
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs; Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington
| | | | - Ryan C Turner
- Department of Neurosurgery, West Virginia University
| | - Sean M Collins
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Cincinnati
| | - Evan L Reeder
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Cincinnati
| | - Jason D Huber
- Department of Neurosurgery, West Virginia University
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Aravind A, Ravula AR, Chandra N, Pfister BJ. Behavioral Deficits in Animal Models of Blast Traumatic Brain Injury. Front Neurol 2020; 11:990. [PMID: 33013653 PMCID: PMC7500138 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Blast exposure has been identified to be the most common cause for traumatic brain injury (TBI) in soldiers. Over the years, rodent models to mimic blast exposures and the behavioral outcomes observed in veterans have been developed extensively. However, blast tube design and varying experimental parameters lead to inconsistencies in the behavioral outcomes reported across research laboratories. This review aims to curate the behavioral outcomes reported in rodent models of blast TBI using shockwave tubes or open field detonations between the years 2008–2019 and highlight the important experimental parameters that affect behavioral outcome. Further, we discuss the role of various design parameters of the blast tube that can affect the nature of blast exposure experienced by the rodents. Finally, we assess the most common behavioral tests done to measure cognitive, motor, anxiety, auditory, and fear conditioning deficits in blast TBI (bTBI) and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aswati Aravind
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Injury Biomechanics, Materials and Medicine, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Arun Reddy Ravula
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Injury Biomechanics, Materials and Medicine, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Namas Chandra
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Injury Biomechanics, Materials and Medicine, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Bryan J Pfister
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Injury Biomechanics, Materials and Medicine, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, United States
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10
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Skotak M, Townsend MT, Ramarao KV, Chandra N. A Comprehensive Review of Experimental Rodent Models of Repeated Blast TBI. Front Neurol 2019; 10:1015. [PMID: 31611839 PMCID: PMC6776622 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.01015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We reviewed the relevant literature delineating advances in the development of the experimental models of repeated blast TBI (rbTBI). It appears this subject is a relatively unexplored area considering the first work published in 2007 and the bulk of peer-reviewed papers was published post-2011. There are merely 34 papers published to date utilizing rodent rbTBI models. We performed an analysis and extracted basic parameters to capture the characteristics of the exposure conditions (the blast intensity, inter-exposure interval and the number of exposures), the age and weight of the animal models most commonly used in the studies, and their endpoints. Our analysis revealed three strains of rodents are predominantly used: Sprague Dawley and Long Evans rats and wild type (C57BL/6J) mice, and young adult animals 8 to 12-week-old are a preferred choice. Typical exposure conditions are the following: (1) peak overpressure in the 27–145 kPa (4–21 psi) range, (2) number of exposures: 2 (13.9%), 3 (63.9%), 5 (16.7%), or 12 (5.6%) with a single exposure used for a baseline comparison in 41.24% of the studies. Two inter-exposure interval durations were used: (1) short (1–30 min.) and (2) extended (24 h) between consecutive shock wave exposures. The experiments included characterization of repeated blast exposure effects on auditory, ocular and neurological function, with a focus on brain etiology in most of the published work. We present an overview of major histopathological findings, which are supplemented by studies implementing MRI (DTI) and behavioral changes after rbTBI in the acute (1–7 days post-injury), subacute (7–14 days), and chronic (>14 days) phases post-injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Skotak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Injury Biomechanics, Materials, and Medicine, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Molly T Townsend
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Injury Biomechanics, Materials, and Medicine, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Kakulavarapu V Ramarao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Injury Biomechanics, Materials, and Medicine, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Namas Chandra
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for Injury Biomechanics, Materials, and Medicine, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, United States
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11
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Algamal M, Saltiel N, Pearson AJ, Ager B, Burca I, Mouzon B, Diamond DM, Mullan M, Ojo JO, Crawford F. Impact of Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury on Behavioral and Hippocampal Deficits in a Mouse Model of Chronic Stress. J Neurotrauma 2019; 36:2590-2607. [PMID: 30963958 PMCID: PMC7366273 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2018.6314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical studies examining the interaction between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and stress-related disorders (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder) are often complicated by methodological constraints, such as heterogeneity in injury type and severity, time post-trauma, and predisposing risk factors. Developing relevant animal models whereby many variables can be efficiently controlled is thus essential to understanding this elusive relationship. Here, we use our repeated unpredictable stress (RUS) paradigm, in combination with our established mouse model of repetitive mild TBI (r-mTBI), to assess the impact of repeated exposures to these paradigms on behavioral and neurobiological measures. C57BL/6J male mice were exposed to RUS and r-mTBI at 3 and 6 months of age followed by batteries of behavioral testing. Mice were euthanized 10 days and 3 months post-exposure, with brain and plasma samples collected for molecular profiling. The RUS paradigm involved exposure to a predator odor (trimethylthiazoline; TMT) while under restraint, daily unstable social housing, five inescapable footshocks on separate days, and chronic social isolation. Animals receiving r-mTBI ( × 5) and stress were exposed to a single closed-head injury 1 h after each footshock. Stress-alone mice showed significant weight loss, recall of traumatic memories, and anxiety-like and passive stress-coping behavior when compared with control mice. However, in stress+r-mTBI animals, the changes in cued fear memory, anxiety, and stress-coping tests were diminished, possibly due to TBI-induced hyperactivity. We also report complex brain molecular and neuropathological findings. Stress and r-mTBI, either individually or comorbidly, were associated with a chronic reduction in dendritic spine GluN2A/GluN2B ratio in the hippocampus. While stress augmented the r-mTBI-dependent astrogliosis in the corpus callosum, it mitigated r-mTBI-induced increases in hippocampal pro-brain-derived neurotrophic factor. We anticipate that our model will be a good platform to untangle the complex comorbid pathophysiology in stress disorders and r-mTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moustafa Algamal
- Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, Florida
- The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | - Nicole Saltiel
- Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, Florida
- James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, Florida
| | - Andrew J. Pearson
- Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, Florida
- The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Benoit Mouzon
- Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, Florida
- James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, Florida
| | - David M. Diamond
- Department of Psychology, Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Michael Mullan
- Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, Florida
- The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph O. Ojo
- Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, Florida
- The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
- James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, Florida
| | - Fiona Crawford
- Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, Florida
- The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
- James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, Florida
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12
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Reduced avoidance coping in male, but not in female rats, after mild traumatic brain injury: Implications for depression. Behav Brain Res 2019; 373:112064. [PMID: 31278968 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Although there is evidence that traumatic brain injury (mTBI) induces emotional sequelae in rats, it is unclear whether the phenotype is reminiscent of major depressive disorder (MDD) or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Three behavioral protocols with oppositional indicators for MDD or PTSD were assessed: acoustic startle responses (ASRs), eyeblink conditioning, and instrumental escape/avoidance (E/A) learning. Female and male rats were exposed to lateral fluid percussion injury (LFPi) consistent with mild TBI (mTBI) or sham (SHAM) surgery. Experiment 1 suggested that the acquisition of the classically conditioned eyeblink responses was unaffected by mTBI infemale and male rats. In Experiment 2, male and female mTBI rats acquired instrumental escape responses similar to their SHAM counterparts. Avoidance expression of female mTBI rats did not differ appreciably from female SHAM rats. However, male mTBI rats expressed avoidance at a lower rate than male SHAM rats over training. Poor coping in male rats emerged with repeated exposure to stress, suggesting that depressive behaviors in mTBI develop over time and with continued demand from stress. Severely attenuated ASRs were evident in female and male mTBI rats compared to respective SHAM rats throughout testing across the two experiments. Overall, signs among the three bidirectional assessments during the subacute period after mTBI were more indicative of MDD-like, than PTSD-like sequelae.
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13
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Zhou Y, Wen LL, Wang HD, Zhou XM, Fang J, Zhu JH, Ding K. Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury Triggered by Moderate Intensity Shock Wave Using a Modified Experimental Model of Injury in Mice. Chin Med J (Engl) 2019; 131:2447-2460. [PMID: 30334530 PMCID: PMC6202591 DOI: 10.4103/0366-6999.243558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The increasing frequency of explosive injuries has increased interest in blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI). Various shock tube models have been used to study bTBI. Mild-to-moderate explosions are often overlooked because of the slow onset or mildness of the symptoms. However, heavy gas cylinders and large volume chambers in the model may increase the complexity and danger. This study sought to design a modified model to explore the effect of moderate explosion on brain injury in mice. Methods Pathology scoring system (PSS) was used to distinguish the graded intensity by the modified model. A total of 160 mice were randomly divided into control, sham, and bTBI groups with different time points. The clinical features, imaging features, neurobehavior, and neuropathology were detected after moderate explosion. One-way analysis of variance followed by Fisher's least significant difference posttest or Dunnett's t 3-test was performed for data analyses. Results PSS of mild, moderate, and severe explosion was 13.4 ± 2.2, 32.6 ± 2.7 (t = 13.92, P < 0.001; vs. mild group), and 56.6 ± 2.8 (t = 31.37, P < 0.001; vs. mild group), respectively. After moderate explosion, mice showed varied symptoms of malaise, anorexia, incontinence, apnea, or seizure. After bTBI, brain edema reached the highest peak at day 3 (82.5% ± 2.1% vs. 73.8% ± 0.6%, t = 7.76, P < 0.001), while the most serious neurological outcomes occurred at day 1 (Y-maze: 8.25 ± 2.36 vs. 20.00 ± 4.55, t = -4.59, P = 0.048; 29.58% ± 2.84% vs. 49.09% ± 11.63%, t = -3.08, P = 0.008; neurologic severity score: 2.50 ± 0.58 vs. 0.00 ± 0.00, t = 8.65, P = 0.016). We also found that apoptotic neurons (52.76% ± 1.99% vs. 1.30% ± 0.11%, t = 57.20, P < 0.001) and gliosis (2.98 ± 0.24 vs. 1.00 ± 0.00, t = 14.42, P = 0.021) in the frontal were significantly higher at day 3 post-bTBI than sham bTBI. Conclusions We provide a reliable, reproducible bTBI model in mice that can produce a graded explosive waveform similar to the free-field shock wave in a controlled laboratory environment. Moderate explosion can trigger mild-to-moderate blast damage of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jinling Hospital, Jinling School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, Nanjing 210002, China
| | - Li-Li Wen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jinling Hospital, Jinling School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, Nanjing 210002, China
| | - Han-Dong Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jinling Hospital, Jinling School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, Nanjing 210002, China
| | - Xiao-Ming Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jinling Hospital, Jinling School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, Nanjing 210002, China
| | - Jiang Fang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jinling Hospital, Jinling School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, Nanjing 210002, China
| | - Jian-Hong Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jinling Hospital, Jinling School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, Nanjing 210002, China
| | - Ke Ding
- Department of Neurosurgery, Jinling Hospital, Jinling School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu, Nanjing 210002, China
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14
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Cheng WH, Martens KM, Bashir A, Cheung H, Stukas S, Gibbs E, Namjoshi DR, Button EB, Wilkinson A, Barron CJ, Cashman NR, Cripton PA, Wellington CL. CHIMERA repetitive mild traumatic brain injury induces chronic behavioural and neuropathological phenotypes in wild-type and APP/PS1 mice. ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH & THERAPY 2019; 11:6. [PMID: 30636629 PMCID: PMC6330571 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-018-0461-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background The annual incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the United States is over 2.5 million, with approximately 3–5 million people living with chronic sequelae. Compared with moderate-severe TBI, the long-term effects of mild TBI (mTBI) are less understood but important to address, particularly for contact sport athletes and military personnel who have high mTBI exposure. The purpose of this study was to determine the behavioural and neuropathological phenotypes induced by the Closed-Head Impact Model of Engineered Rotational Acceleration (CHIMERA) model of mTBI in both wild-type (WT) and APP/PS1 mice up to 8 months post-injury. Methods Male WT and APP/PS1 littermates were randomized to sham or repetitive mild TBI (rmTBI; 2 × 0.5 J impacts 24 h apart) groups at 5.7 months of age. Animals were assessed up to 8 months post-injury for acute neurological deficits using the loss of righting reflex (LRR) and Neurological Severity Score (NSS) tasks, and chronic behavioural changes using the passive avoidance (PA), Barnes maze (BM), elevated plus maze (EPM) and rotarod (RR) tasks. Neuropathological assessments included white matter damage; grey matter inflammation; and measures of Aβ levels, deposition, and aducanumab binding activity. Results The very mild CHIMERA rmTBI conditions used here produced no significant acute neurological or motor deficits in WT and APP/PS1 mice, but they profoundly inhibited extinction of fear memory specifically in APP/PS1 mice over the 8-month assessment period. Spatial learning and memory were affected by both injury and genotype. Anxiety and risk-taking behaviour were affected by injury but not genotype. CHIMERA rmTBI induced chronic white matter microgliosis, axonal injury and astrogliosis independent of genotype in the optic tract but not the corpus callosum, and it altered microgliosis in APP/PS1 amygdala and hippocampus. Finally, rmTBI did not alter long-term tau, Aβ or amyloid levels, but it increased aducanumab binding activity. Conclusions CHIMERA is a useful model to investigate the chronic consequences of rmTBI, including behavioural abnormalities consistent with features of post-traumatic stress disorder and inflammation of both white and grey matter. The presence of human Aβ greatly modified extinction of fear memory after rmTBI. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13195-018-0461-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wai Hang Cheng
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Kris M Martens
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Asma Bashir
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Honor Cheung
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Sophie Stukas
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Ebrima Gibbs
- Department of Neurology, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Dhananjay R Namjoshi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Emily B Button
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Anna Wilkinson
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Carlos J Barron
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Neil R Cashman
- Department of Neurology, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Peter A Cripton
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, 6250 Applied Sciences Lane, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Cheryl L Wellington
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
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15
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Corne R, Leconte C, Ouradou M, Fassina V, Zhu Y, Déou E, Besson V, Plotkine M, Marchand-Leroux C, Mongeau R. Spontaneous resurgence of conditioned fear weeks after successful extinction in brain injured mice. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 88:276-286. [PMID: 30096331 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major risk factor for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and both disorders share common symptoms and neurobiological defects. Relapse after successful treatment, known as long-term fear resurgence, is common in PTSD patients and a major therapeutic hurdle. We induced a mild focal TBI by controlled cortical impact (CCI) in male C57BL/6 J mice and used fear conditioning to assess PTSD-like behaviors and concomitant alterations in the fear circuitry. We found for the first time that mild TBI, and to a lesser extent sham (craniotomy), mice displayed a spontaneous resurgence of conditioned fear when tested for fear extinction memory recall, despite having effectively acquired and extinguished conditioned fear 6 weeks earlier in the same context. Other characteristic symptoms of PTSD are risk-taking behaviors and cognitive deficits. CCI mice displayed risk-taking behaviors, behavioral inflexibility and reductions in processing speed compared to naïve mice. In conjunction with these changes there were alterations in amygdala morphology 3 months post-trauma, and decreased myelin basic protein density at the primary lesion site and in distant secondary sites such as the hippocampus, thalamus, and amygdala, compared to sham mice. Furthermore, activity-dependent brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) transcripts were decreased in the prefrontal cortex, a key region for fear extinction consolidation, following fear extinction training in both TBI and, to a lesser extent, sham mice. This study shows for the first time that a mild brain injury can generate a spontaneous resurgence of conditioned fear associated with defective BDNF signalling in the prefrontal cortex, PTSD-like behaviors, and have enduring effects on the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Corne
- EA4475 - Pharmacologie de la Circulation Cérébrale, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - C Leconte
- EA4475 - Pharmacologie de la Circulation Cérébrale, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - M Ouradou
- EA4475 - Pharmacologie de la Circulation Cérébrale, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - V Fassina
- EA4475 - Pharmacologie de la Circulation Cérébrale, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Y Zhu
- EA4475 - Pharmacologie de la Circulation Cérébrale, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - E Déou
- EA4475 - Pharmacologie de la Circulation Cérébrale, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - V Besson
- EA4475 - Pharmacologie de la Circulation Cérébrale, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - M Plotkine
- EA4475 - Pharmacologie de la Circulation Cérébrale, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - C Marchand-Leroux
- EA4475 - Pharmacologie de la Circulation Cérébrale, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - R Mongeau
- EA4475 - Pharmacologie de la Circulation Cérébrale, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France.
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16
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Agoston DV. Modeling the Long-Term Consequences of Repeated Blast-Induced Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries. J Neurotrauma 2018; 34:S44-S52. [PMID: 28937952 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2017.5317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Repeated mild traumatic brain injury (rmTBI) caused by playing collision sports or by exposure to blasts during military operations can lead to late onset, chronic diseases such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive neurodegenerative condition that manifests in increasingly severe neuropsychiatric abnormalities years after the last injury. Currently, because of the heterogeneity of the clinical presentation, confirmation of a CTE diagnosis requires post-mortem examination of the brain. The hallmarks of CTE are abnormal accumulation of phosphorylated tau protein, TDP-43 immunoreactive neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions, and astroglial abnormalities, but the pathomechanism leading to these terminal findings remains unknown. Animal modeling can play an important role in the identification of CTE pathomechanisms, the development of early stage diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, and pharmacological interventions. Modeling the long-term consequences of blast rmTBI in animals is especially challenging because of the complexities of blast physics and animal-to-human scaling issues. This review summarizes current knowledge about the pathobiologies of CTE and rmbTBI and discusses problems as well as potential solutions related to high-fidelity modeling of rmbTBI and determining its long-term consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denes V Agoston
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University , Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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17
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Perez-Garcia G, Gama Sosa MA, De Gasperi R, Lashof-Sullivan M, Maudlin-Jeronimo E, Stone JR, Haghighi F, Ahlers ST, Elder GA. Chronic post-traumatic stress disorder-related traits in a rat model of low-level blast exposure. Behav Brain Res 2018; 340:117-125. [PMID: 27693852 PMCID: PMC11181290 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.09.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 09/25/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The postconcussion syndrome following mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) has been regarded as a mostly benign syndrome that typically resolves in the immediate months following injury. However, in some individuals, symptoms become chronic and persistent. This has been a striking feature of the mostly blast-related mTBIs that have been seen in veterans returning from the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. In these veterans a chronic syndrome with features of both the postconcussion syndrome and post-traumatic stress disorder has been prominent. Animal modeling of blast-related TBI has developed rapidly over the last decade leading to advances in the understanding of blast pathophysiology. However, most studies have focused on acute to subacute effects of blast on the nervous system and have typically studied higher intensity blast exposures with energies more comparable to that involved in human moderate to severe TBI. Fewer animal studies have addressed the chronic effects of lower level blast exposures that are more comparable to those involved in human mTBI or subclinical blast. Here we describe a rat model of repetitive low-level blast exposure that induces a variety of anxiety and PTSD-related behavioral traits including exaggerated fear responses that were present when animals were tested between 28 and 35 weeks after the last blast exposure. These animals provide a model to study the chronic and persistent behavioral effects of blast including the relationship of PTSD to mTBI in dual diagnosis veterans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina Perez-Garcia
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA; Research and Development Service, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 130 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468, USA; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Miguel A Gama Sosa
- Research and Development Service, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 130 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468, USA; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Rita De Gasperi
- Research and Development Service, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 130 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468, USA; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Margaret Lashof-Sullivan
- Department of Neurotrauma, Operational and Undersea Medicine Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Eric Maudlin-Jeronimo
- Department of Neurotrauma, Operational and Undersea Medicine Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - James R Stone
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Fatemeh Haghighi
- Research and Development Service, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 130 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468, USA; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA; Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Stephen T Ahlers
- Department of Neurotrauma, Operational and Undersea Medicine Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
| | - Gregory A Elder
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA; Neurology Service, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 130 West Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10468, USA.
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18
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Song H, Cui J, Simonyi A, Johnson CE, Hubler GK, DePalma RG, Gu Z. Linking blast physics to biological outcomes in mild traumatic brain injury: Narrative review and preliminary report of an open-field blast model. Behav Brain Res 2018; 340:147-158. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.08.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Revised: 08/13/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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19
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Glenn DE, Acheson DT, Geyer MA, Nievergelt CM, Baker DG, Risbrough VB. Fear learning alterations after traumatic brain injury and their role in development of posttraumatic stress symptoms. Depress Anxiety 2017; 34:723-733. [PMID: 28489272 DOI: 10.1002/da.22642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Revised: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is unknown how traumatic brain injury (TBI) increases risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). One potential mechanism is via alteration of fear-learning processes that could affect responses to trauma memories and cues. We utilized a prospective, longitudinal design to determine if TBI is associated with altered fear learning and extinction, and if fear processing mediates effects of TBI on PTSD symptom change. METHODS Eight hundred fifty two active-duty Marines and Navy Corpsmen were assessed before and after deployment. Assessments included TBI history, PTSD symptoms, combat trauma and deployment stress, and a fear-potentiated startle task of fear acquisition and extinction. Startle response and self-reported expectancy and anxiety served as measures of fear conditioning, and PTSD symptoms were measured with the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale. RESULTS Individuals endorsing "multiple hit" exposure (both deployment TBI and a prior TBI) showed the strongest fear acquisition and highest fear expression compared to groups without multiple hits. Extinction did not differ across groups. Endorsing a deployment TBI was associated with higher anxiety to the fear cue compared to those without deployment TBI. The association of deployment TBI with increased postdeployment PTSD symptoms was mediated by postdeployment fear expression when recent prior-TBI exposure was included as a moderator. TBI associations with increased response to threat cues and PTSD symptoms remained when controlling for deployment trauma and postdeployment PTSD diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Deployment TBI, and multiple-hit TBI in particular, are associated with increases in conditioned fear learning and expression that may contribute to risk for developing PTSD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Glenn
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, San Diego Veterans Affairs Health Services, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Dean T Acheson
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, San Diego Veterans Affairs Health Services, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Mark A Geyer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, CA, USA.,Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, CA, USA
| | - Caroline M Nievergelt
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, San Diego Veterans Affairs Health Services, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Dewleen G Baker
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, San Diego Veterans Affairs Health Services, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Victoria B Risbrough
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, San Diego Veterans Affairs Health Services, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, CA, USA
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- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, San Diego Veterans Affairs Health Services, CA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, CA, USA
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20
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Wu YT, Adnan A. Effect of Shock-Induced Cavitation Bubble Collapse on the damage in the Simulated Perineuronal Net of the Brain. Sci Rep 2017; 7:5323. [PMID: 28706307 PMCID: PMC5509702 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05790-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to conduct modeling and simulation to understand the effect of shock-induced mechanical loading, in the form of cavitation bubble collapse, on damage to the brain's perineuronal nets (PNNs). It is known that high-energy implosion due to cavitation collapse is responsible for corrosion or surface damage in many mechanical devices. In this case, cavitation refers to the bubble created by pressure drop. The presence of a similar damage mechanism in biophysical systems has long being suspected but not well-explored. In this paper, we use reactive molecular dynamics (MD) to simulate the scenario of a shock wave induced cavitation collapse within the perineuronal net (PNN), which is the near-neuron domain of a brain's extracellular matrix (ECM). Our model is focused on the damage in hyaluronan (HA), which is the main structural component of PNN. We have investigated the roles of cavitation bubble location, shockwave intensity and the size of a cavitation bubble on the structural evolution of PNN. Simulation results show that the localized supersonic water hammer created by an asymmetrical bubble collapse may break the hyaluronan. As such, the current study advances current knowledge and understanding of the connection between PNN damage and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Ting Wu
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, the University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, 76010, USA
| | - Ashfaq Adnan
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, the University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, 76010, USA.
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21
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Zuckerman A, Ram O, Ifergane G, Matar MA, Sagi R, Ostfeld I, Hoffman JR, Kaplan Z, Sadot O, Cohen H. Controlled Low-Pressure Blast-Wave Exposure Causes Distinct Behavioral and Morphological Responses Modelling Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Comorbid Mild Traumatic Brain Injury–Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. J Neurotrauma 2017; 34:145-164. [DOI: 10.1089/neu.2015.4310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Amitai Zuckerman
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ministry of Health, Anxiety and Stress Research Unit, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Omri Ram
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Gal Ifergane
- Headache Clinic, Department of Neurology, Soroka Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Michael A. Matar
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ministry of Health, Anxiety and Stress Research Unit, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ram Sagi
- Israel Defense Forces, Medical Corps, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ishay Ostfeld
- Israel Defense Forces, Medical Corps, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Jay R. Hoffman
- Institute of Exercise Physiology and Wellness, Sport and Exercise Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida
| | - Zeev Kaplan
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ministry of Health, Anxiety and Stress Research Unit, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Oren Sadot
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Hagit Cohen
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ministry of Health, Anxiety and Stress Research Unit, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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22
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Shultz SR, McDonald SJ, Vonder Haar C, Meconi A, Vink R, van Donkelaar P, Taneja C, Iverson GL, Christie BR. The potential for animal models to provide insight into mild traumatic brain injury: Translational challenges and strategies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 76:396-414. [PMID: 27659125 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Revised: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a common health problem. There is tremendous variability and heterogeneity in human mTBI, including mechanisms of injury, biomechanical forces, injury severity, spatial and temporal pathophysiology, genetic factors, pre-injury vulnerability and resilience factors, and clinical outcomes. Animal models greatly reduce this variability and heterogeneity, and provide a means to study mTBI in a rigorous, controlled, and efficient manner. Rodent models, in particular, are time- and cost-efficient, and they allow researchers to measure morphological, cellular, molecular, and behavioral variables in a single study. However, inter-species differences in anatomy, morphology, metabolism, neurobiology, and lifespan create translational challenges. Although the term "mild" TBI is used often in the pre-clinical literature, clearly defined criteria for mild, moderate, and severe TBI in animal models have not been agreed upon. In this review, we introduce current issues facing the mTBI field, summarize the available research methodologies and previous studies in mTBI animal models, and discuss how a translational research approach may be useful in advancing our understanding and management of mTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandy R Shultz
- Department of Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Stuart J McDonald
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Cole Vonder Haar
- Department of Psychology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Alicia Meconi
- Division of Medical Sciences, The University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Robert Vink
- Division of Health Sciences, The University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Paul van Donkelaar
- School of Health and Exercise Sciences, The University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, BC, Canada
| | - Chand Taneja
- Division of Medical Sciences, The University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Grant L Iverson
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Home Base, A Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program, and MassGeneral Hospital for Children™ Sports Concussion Program, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brian R Christie
- Division of Medical Sciences, The University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
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23
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A Simplified Workflow for Protein Quantitation of Rat Brain Tissues Using Label-Free Proteomics and Spectral Counting. Methods Mol Biol 2016. [PMID: 27604744 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3816-2_36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Mass spectrometry-based proteomics is an increasingly valuable tool for determining relative or quantitative protein abundance in brain tissues. A plethora of technical and analytical methods are available, but straightforward and practical approaches are often needed to facilitate reproducibility. This aspect is particularly important as an increasing number of studies focus on models of traumatic brain injury or brain trauma, for which brain tissue proteomes have not yet been fully described. This text provides suggested techniques for robust identification and quantitation of brain proteins by using molecular weight fractionation prior to mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Detailed sample preparation and generalized protocols for chromatography, mass spectrometry, spectral counting, and normalization are described. The rat cerebral cortex isolated from a model of blast-overpressure was used as an exemplary source of brain tissue. However, these techniques may be adapted for lysates generated from several types of cells or tissues and adapted by the end user.
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24
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Davies DR, Olson D, Meyer DL, Scholl JL, Watt MJ, Manzerra P, Renner KJ, Forster GL. Mild Traumatic Brain Injury with Social Defeat Stress Alters Anxiety, Contextual Fear Extinction, and Limbic Monoamines in Adult Rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2016; 10:71. [PMID: 27147992 PMCID: PMC4835499 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2016.00071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) produces symptoms similar to those typifying posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in humans. We sought to determine whether a rodent model of stress concurrent with mTBI produces characteristics of PTSD such as impaired contextual fear extinction, while also examining concurrent alterations to limbic monoamine activity in brain regions relevant to fear and anxiety states. Male rats were exposed to social stress or control conditions immediately prior to mTBI induction, and 6 days later were tested either for anxiety-like behavior using the elevated plus maze (EPM), or for contextual fear conditioning and extinction. Brains were collected 24 h after EPM testing, and tissue from various limbic regions analyzed for content of monoamines, their precursors and metabolites using HPLC with electrochemical detection. Either social defeat or mTBI alone decreased time spent in open arms of the EPM, indicating greater anxiety-like behavior. However, this effect was enhanced by the combination of treatments. Further, rats exposed to both social defeat and mTBI exhibited greater freezing within extinction sessions compared to all other groups, suggesting impaired contextual fear extinction. Social defeat combined with mTBI also had greater effects on limbic monoamines than either insult alone, particularly with respect to serotonergic effects associated with anxiety and fear learning. The results suggest social stress concurrent with mTBI produces provides a relevant animal model for studying the prevention and treatment of post-concussive psychobiological outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R Davies
- Center for Brain and Behavior Research, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD, USA
| | - Dawne Olson
- Center for Brain and Behavior Research, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD, USA
| | - Danielle L Meyer
- Center for Brain and Behavior Research, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD, USA
| | - Jamie L Scholl
- Center for Brain and Behavior Research, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD, USA
| | - Michael J Watt
- Center for Brain and Behavior Research, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD, USA
| | - Pasquale Manzerra
- Center for Brain and Behavior Research, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD, USA
| | - Kenneth J Renner
- Center for Brain and Behavior Research, Department of Biology, University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD, USA
| | - Gina L Forster
- Center for Brain and Behavior Research, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD, USA
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25
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Vonder Haar C, Winstanley CA. Minor Functional Deficits in Basic Response Patterns for Reinforcement after Frontal Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats. J Neurotrauma 2016; 33:1892-1900. [PMID: 26756392 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2015.4276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major contributor to numerous psychiatric conditions and chronic behavioral dysfunction. Recent studies in experimental brain injury have begun to adopt operant methodologies to assess these deficits, all of which rely on the process of reinforcement. No studies have directly examined how reinforced behaviors are affected by TBI, however. The current study assessed performance under the four most common schedules of reinforcement (fixed ratio, variable ratio, fixed interval, variable interval) and one higher order schedule assessing motivation (progressive ratio) after bilateral, pre-frontal controlled cortical impact injury. TBI-induced differences on the basic schedules were minor, with the exception of the variable ratio, where increased efficacy (more reinforcers, higher response rates, lower interresponse times) at higher requirements was observed as a result of brain injury. Performance on the progressive ratio schedule showed some gross differences between the groups, in that sham rats became more efficient under this schedule while injured rats perseverated in lever pressing. Further, injured rats were specifically impaired at lower response requirements on the progressive ratio. Taken together, these findings indicate that simple reinforced behaviors are mostly unaffected after TBI, except in the case of variable ratio schedules, but the altered performance on the higher-order progressive ratio schedule suggests changes involving motivation or potentially perseveration. These findings validate operant measures of more complex behaviors for brain injury, all of which rely on reinforcement and can be taken into consideration when adapting and developing novel functional assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cole Vonder Haar
- Department of Psychology, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Catharine A Winstanley
- Department of Psychology, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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26
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Osier ND, Carlson SW, DeSana A, Dixon CE. Chronic Histopathological and Behavioral Outcomes of Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury in Adult Male Animals. J Neurotrauma 2015; 32:1861-82. [PMID: 25490251 PMCID: PMC4677114 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2014.3680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to survey the use of experimental animal models for studying the chronic histopathological and behavioral consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The strategies employed to study the long-term consequences of TBI are described, along with a summary of the evidence available to date from common experimental TBI models: fluid percussion injury; controlled cortical impact; blast TBI; and closed-head injury. For each model, evidence is organized according to outcome. Histopathological outcomes included are gross changes in morphology/histology, ventricular enlargement, gray/white matter shrinkage, axonal injury, cerebrovascular histopathology, inflammation, and neurogenesis. Behavioral outcomes included are overall neurological function, motor function, cognitive function, frontal lobe function, and stress-related outcomes. A brief discussion is provided comparing the most common experimental models of TBI and highlighting the utility of each model in understanding specific aspects of TBI pathology. The majority of experimental TBI studies collect data in the acute postinjury period, but few continue into the chronic period. Available evidence from long-term studies suggests that many of the experimental TBI models can lead to progressive changes in histopathology and behavior. The studies described in this review contribute to our understanding of chronic TBI pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole D. Osier
- Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Shaun W. Carlson
- Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Brain Trauma Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Anthony DeSana
- Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Seton Hill University, Greensburg, Pennsylvania
| | - C. Edward Dixon
- Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Brain Trauma Research Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- V.A. Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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27
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Groeber Travis CM, Altman DE, Genovese RF. Ketamine administration diminishes operant responding but does not impair conditioned fear. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2015; 139:84-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2015.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Revised: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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28
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Turner RC, Lucke-Wold BP, Logsdon AF, Robson MJ, Lee JM, Bailes JE, Dashnaw ML, Huber JD, Petraglia AL, Rosen CL. Modeling Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: The Way Forward for Future Discovery. Front Neurol 2015; 6:223. [PMID: 26579067 PMCID: PMC4620695 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2015.00223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the extensive media coverage associated with the diagnosis of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), our fundamental understanding of the disease pathophysiology remains in its infancy. Only recently have scientific laboratories and personnel begun to explore CTE pathophysiology through the use of preclinical models of neurotrauma. Some studies have shown the ability to recapitulate some aspects of CTE in rodent models, through the use of various neuropathological, biochemical, and/or behavioral assays. Many questions related to CTE development, however, remain unanswered. These include the role of impact severity, the time interval between impacts, the age at which impacts occur, and the total number of impacts sustained. Other important variables such as the location of impacts, character of impacts, and effect of environment/lifestyle and genetics also warrant further study. In this work, we attempt to address some of these questions by exploring work previously completed using single- and repetitive-injury paradigms. Despite some models producing some deficits similar to CTE symptoms, it is clear that further studies are required to understand the development of neuropathological and neurobehavioral features consistent with CTE-like features in rodents. Specifically, acute and chronic studies are needed that characterize the development of tau-based pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C. Turner
- Department of Neurosurgery, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Brandon P. Lucke-Wold
- Department of Neurosurgery, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Aric F. Logsdon
- Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Matthew J. Robson
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - John M. Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, NorthShore University Health System, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Julian E. Bailes
- Department of Neurosurgery, NorthShore University Health System, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Matthew L. Dashnaw
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Jason D. Huber
- Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | | | - Charles L. Rosen
- Department of Neurosurgery, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
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29
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Tschiffely A, Ahlers S, Norris J. Examining the relationship between blast-induced mild traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress-related traits. J Neurosci Res 2015; 93:1769-77. [DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Revised: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A.E. Tschiffely
- Department of Neurotrauma; Operational and Undersea Medicine Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center; Silver Spring Maryland
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation; Bethesda Maryland
| | - S.T. Ahlers
- Department of Neurotrauma; Operational and Undersea Medicine Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center; Silver Spring Maryland
| | - J.N. Norris
- Department of Neurotrauma; Operational and Undersea Medicine Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center; Silver Spring Maryland
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30
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Sierra-Mercado D, McAllister LM, Lee CCH, Milad MR, Eskandar EN, Whalen MJ. Controlled cortical impact before or after fear conditioning does not affect fear extinction in mice. Brain Res 2015; 1606:133-41. [PMID: 25721797 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2014] [Revised: 02/04/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized in part by impaired extinction of conditioned fear. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is thought to be a risk factor for development of PTSD. We tested the hypothesis that controlled cortical impact (CCI) would impair extinction of fear learned by Pavlovian conditioning, in mice. To mimic the scenarios in which TBI occurs prior to or after exposure to an aversive event, severe CCI was delivered to the left parietal cortex at one of two time points: (1) Prior to fear conditioning, or (2) after conditioning. Delay auditory conditioning was achieved by pairing a tone with a foot shock in "context A". Extinction training involved the presentation of tones in a different context (context B) in the absence of foot shock. Test for extinction memory was achieved by presentation of additional tones alone in context B over the following two days. In pre- or post-injury paradigms, CCI did not influence fear learning and extinction. Furthermore, CCI did not affect locomotor activity or elevated plus maze testing. Our results demonstrate that, within the time frame studied, CCI does not impair the acquisition and expression of conditioned fear or extinction memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demetrio Sierra-Mercado
- Neuroscience Center and Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States; Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States; Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00936.
| | - Lauren M McAllister
- Neuroscience Center and Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States.
| | - Christopher C H Lee
- Neuroscience Center and Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States.
| | - Mohammed R Milad
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States.
| | - Emad N Eskandar
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States.
| | - Michael J Whalen
- Neuroscience Center and Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States.
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31
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Turner RC, Lucke-Wold BP, Logsdon AF, Robson MJ, Dashnaw ML, Huang JH, Smith KE, Huber JD, Rosen CL, Petraglia AL. The Quest to Model Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: A Multiple Model and Injury Paradigm Experience. Front Neurol 2015; 6:222. [PMID: 26539159 PMCID: PMC4611965 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2015.00222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic neurodegeneration following a history of neurotrauma is frequently associated with neuropsychiatric and cognitive symptoms. In order to enhance understanding about the underlying pathophysiology linking neurotrauma to neurodegeneration, a multi-model preclinical approach must be established to account for the different injury paradigms and pathophysiologic mechanisms. We investigated the development of tau pathology and behavioral changes using a multi-model and multi-institutional approach, comparing the preclinical results to tauopathy patterns seen in post-mortem human samples from athletes diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). We utilized a scaled and validated blast-induced traumatic brain injury model in rats and a modified pneumatic closed-head impact model in mice. Tau hyperphosphorylation was evaluated by western blot and immunohistochemistry. Elevated-plus maze and Morris water maze were employed to measure impulsive-like behavior and cognitive deficits respectively. Animals exposed to single blast (~50 PSI reflected peak overpressure) exhibited elevated AT8 immunoreactivity in the contralateral hippocampus at 1 month compared to controls (q = 3.96, p < 0.05). Animals exposed to repeat blast (six blasts over 2 weeks) had increased AT8 (q = 8.12, p < 0.001) and AT270 (q = 4.03, p < 0.05) in the contralateral hippocampus at 1 month post-injury compared to controls. In the modified controlled closed-head impact mouse model, no significant difference in AT8 was seen at 7 days, however a significant elevation was detected at 1 month following injury in the ipsilateral hippocampus compared to control (q = 4.34, p < 0.05). Elevated-plus maze data revealed that rats exposed to single blast (q = 3.53, p < 0.05) and repeat blast (q = 4.21, p < 0.05) spent more time in seconds exploring the open arms compared to controls. Morris water maze testing revealed a significant difference between groups in acquisition times on days 22-27. During the probe trial, single blast (t = 6.44, p < 0.05) and repeat blast (t = 8.00, p < 0.05) rats spent less time in seconds exploring where the platform had been located compared to controls. This study provides a multi-model example of replicating tau and behavioral changes in animals and provides a foundation for future investigation of CTE disease pathophysiology and therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C. Turner
- Department of Neurosurgery, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Brandon P. Lucke-Wold
- Department of Neurosurgery, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Aric F. Logsdon
- Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Matthew J. Robson
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Matthew L. Dashnaw
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Jason H. Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor Scott and White Health System, Temple, TX, USA
| | - Kelly E. Smith
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Jason D. Huber
- Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Charles L. Rosen
- Department of Neurosurgery, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Anthony L. Petraglia
- Division of Neurosurgery, Rochester Regional Health, Rochester, NY, USA
- *Correspondence: Anthony L. Petraglia,
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Elder GA, Stone JR, Ahlers ST. Effects of low-level blast exposure on the nervous system: is there really a controversy? Front Neurol 2014; 5:269. [PMID: 25566175 PMCID: PMC4271615 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2014.00269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2014] [Accepted: 11/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
High-pressure blast waves can cause extensive CNS injury in human beings. However, in combat settings, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, lower level exposures associated with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or subclinical exposure have been much more common. Yet controversy exists concerning what traits can be attributed to low-level blast, in large part due to the difficulty of distinguishing blast-related mTBI from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We describe how TBI is defined in human beings and the problems posed in using current definitions to recognize blast-related mTBI. We next consider the problem of applying definitions of human mTBI to animal models, in particular that TBI severity in human beings is defined in relation to alteration of consciousness at the time of injury, which typically cannot be assessed in animals. However, based on outcome assessments, a condition of "low-level" blast exposure can be defined in animals that likely approximates human mTBI or subclinical exposure. We review blast injury modeling in animals noting that inconsistencies in experimental approach have contributed to uncertainty over the effects of low-level blast. Yet, animal studies show that low-level blast pressure waves are transmitted to the brain. In brain, low-level blast exposures cause behavioral, biochemical, pathological, and physiological effects on the nervous system including the induction of PTSD-related behavioral traits in the absence of a psychological stressor. We review the relationship of blast exposure to chronic neurodegenerative diseases noting the paradoxical lowering of Abeta by blast, which along with other observations suggest that blast-related TBI is pathophysiologically distinct from non-blast TBI. Human neuroimaging studies show that blast-related mTBI is associated with a variety of chronic effects that are unlikely to be explained by co-morbid PTSD. We conclude that abundant evidence supports low-level blast as having long-term effects on the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory A. Elder
- Neurology Service, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - James R. Stone
- Department of Radiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Stephen T. Ahlers
- Department of Neurotrauma, Operational and Undersea Medicine Directorate, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD, USA
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Goldstein LE, McKee AC, Stanton PK. Considerations for animal models of blast-related traumatic brain injury and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Alzheimers Res Ther 2014; 6:64. [PMID: 25478023 PMCID: PMC4255537 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-014-0064-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The association of military blast exposure and brain injury was first appreciated in World War I as commotio cerebri, and later as shell shock. Similar injuries sustained in modern military conflicts are now classified as mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). Recent research has yielded new insights into the mechanisms by which blast exposure leads to acute brain injury and chronic sequelae, including postconcussive syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, post-traumatic headache, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a tau protein neurodegenerative disease. Impediments to delivery of effective medical care for individuals affected by blast-related TBI include: poor insight into the heterogeneity of neurological insults induced by blast exposure; limited understanding of the mechanisms by which blast exposure injures the brain and triggers sequelae; failure to appreciate interactive injuries that affect frontal lobe function, pituitary regulation, and neurovegetative homeostasis; unknown influence of genetic risk factors, prior trauma, and comorbidities; absence of validated diagnostic criteria and clinical nosology that differentiate clinical endophenotypes; and lack of empirical evidence to guide medical management and therapeutic intervention. While clinicopathological analysis can provide evidence of correlative association, experimental use of animal models remains the primary tool for establishing causal mechanisms of disease. However, the TBI field is confronted by a welter of animal models with varying clinical relevance, thereby impeding scientific coherence and hindering translational progress. Animal models of blast TBI will be far more translationally useful if experimental emphasis focuses on accurate reproduction of clinically relevant endpoints (output) rather than scaled replication of idealized blast shockwaves (input). The utility of an animal model is dependent on the degree to which the model recapitulates pathophysiological mechanisms, neuropathological features, and neurological sequelae observed in the corresponding human disorder. Understanding the purpose of an animal model and the criteria by which experimental results derived from the model are validated are critical components for useful animal modeling. Animal models that reliably demonstrate clinically relevant endpoints will expedite development of new treatments, diagnostics, preventive measures, and rehabilitative strategies for individuals affected by blast TBI and its aftermath.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee E Goldstein
- Boston University School of Medicine and College of Engineering, 670 Albany Street, 4th Floor, Boston 02118, MA, USA
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Robinson Hall, 7th Floor, Boston 02118, MA, USA
| | - Ann C McKee
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Robinson Hall, 7th Floor, Boston 02118, MA, USA
- US Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Avenue, Boston 02130, MA, USA
| | - Patric K Stanton
- Departments of Neurology, Cell Biology & Anatomy, New York Medical College, Basic Science Building, Rm 217, Valhalla 10595, NY, USA
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Turner RC, VanGilder RL, Naser ZJ, Lucke-Wold BP, Bailes JE, Matsumoto RR, Huber JD, Rosen CL. Elucidating the severity of preclinical traumatic brain injury models: a role for functional assessment? Neurosurgery 2014; 74:382-94; discussion 394. [PMID: 24448183 PMCID: PMC4890645 DOI: 10.1227/neu.0000000000000292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Concussion remains a symptom-based diagnosis clinically, yet preclinical studies investigating traumatic brain injury, of which concussion is believed to represent a "mild" form, emphasize histological end points with functional assessments often minimized or ignored all together. Recently, clinical studies have identified the importance of cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms, in addition to somatic concerns, following concussion. How these findings may translate to preclinical studies is unclear at present. OBJECTIVE To address the contrasting end points used clinically compared with those in preclinical studies and the potential role of functional assessments in a commonly used model of diffuse axonal injury (DAI). METHODS Animals were subjected to DAI by the use of the impact-acceleration model. Functional and behavioral assessments were conducted during 1 week following DAI before the completion of the histological assessment at 1 week post-DAI. RESULTS We show, despite the suggestion that this model represents concussive injury, no functional impairments as determined by using the common measures of motor, sensorimotor, cognitive, and neuropsychiatric function following injury over the course of 1 week. The lack of functional deficits is in sharp contrast to neuropathological findings indicating neural degeneration, astrocyte reactivity, and microglial activation. CONCLUSION Future studies are needed to identify functional assessments, neurophysiologic techniques, and imaging assessments more apt to distinguish differences following so-called "mild" traumatic brain injury in preclinical models and determine whether these models are truly studying concussive or subconcussive injury. These studies are needed not only to understand the mechanism of injury and production of subsequent deficits, but also to rigorously evaluate potential therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C. Turner
- Department of Neurosurgery, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
- The Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Reyna L. VanGilder
- The Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
- Department of Nursing, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Zachary J. Naser
- Department of Neurosurgery, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
- The Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Brandon P. Lucke-Wold
- Department of Neurosurgery, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
- The Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Julian E. Bailes
- Department of Neurosurgery, NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, Illinois
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Rae R. Matsumoto
- The Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Jason D. Huber
- The Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Charles L. Rosen
- Department of Neurosurgery, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
- The Center for Neuroscience, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia
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Bahraini NH, Breshears RE, Hernández TD, Schneider AL, Forster JE, Brenner LA. Traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder. Psychiatr Clin North Am 2014; 37:55-75. [PMID: 24529423 DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2013.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Given the upsurge of research in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), much of which has focused on military samples who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, the purpose of this article is to review the literature published after September 11th, 2001 that addresses the epidemiology, pathophysiology, evaluation, and treatment of PTSD in the context of TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazanin H Bahraini
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Veteran Integrated Service Network (VISN) 19 Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), 1055 Clermont Street, Denver, CO 80220, USA; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, 13001 East 17th Place, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
| | - Ryan E Breshears
- Wellstar Health System, Psychological Services, 55 Whitcher Street, Suite 420, Marietta, GA 30060, USA; Department of Counseling and Human Development, University of Georgia, 402 Aderhold Hall, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Theresa D Hernández
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Veteran Integrated Service Network (VISN) 19 Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), 1055 Clermont Street, Denver, CO 80220, USA; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, 1905 Colorado Avenue, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Alexandra L Schneider
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Veteran Integrated Service Network (VISN) 19 Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), 1055 Clermont Street, Denver, CO 80220, USA
| | - Jeri E Forster
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Veteran Integrated Service Network (VISN) 19 Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), 1055 Clermont Street, Denver, CO 80220, USA; Department of Biostatistics & Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver, 13001 E. 17th Place, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Lisa A Brenner
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Veteran Integrated Service Network (VISN) 19 Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), 1055 Clermont Street, Denver, CO 80220, USA; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, 13001 East 17th Place, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, 13001 E. 17th Place, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, 13001 E. 17th Place, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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Kobeissy F, Mondello S, Tümer N, Toklu HZ, Whidden MA, Kirichenko N, Zhang Z, Prima V, Yassin W, Anagli J, Chandra N, Svetlov S, Wang KKW. Assessing neuro-systemic & behavioral components in the pathophysiology of blast-related brain injury. Front Neurol 2013; 4:186. [PMID: 24312074 PMCID: PMC3836009 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2013.00186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2012] [Accepted: 11/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the U.S. military personnel, blast injury is among the leading causes of brain injury. During the past decade, it has become apparent that even blast injury as a form of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) may lead to multiple different adverse outcomes, such as neuropsychiatric symptoms and long-term cognitive disability. Blast injury is characterized by blast overpressure, blast duration, and blast impulse. While the blast injuries of a victim close to the explosion will be severe, majority of victims are usually at a distance leading to milder form described as mild blast TBI (mbTBI). A major feature of mbTBI is its complex manifestation occurring in concert at different organ levels involving systemic, cerebral, neuronal, and neuropsychiatric responses; some of which are shared with other forms of brain trauma such as acute brain injury and other neuropsychiatric disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder. The pathophysiology of blast injury exposure involves complex cascades of chronic psychological stress, autonomic dysfunction, and neuro/systemic inflammation. These factors render blast injury as an arduous challenge in terms of diagnosis and treatment as well as identification of sensitive and specific biomarkers distinguishing mTBI from other non-TBI pathologies and from neuropsychiatric disorders with similar symptoms. This is due to the “distinct” but shared and partially identified biochemical pathways and neuro-histopathological changes that might be linked to behavioral deficits observed. Taken together, this article aims to provide an overview of the current status of the cellular and pathological mechanisms involved in blast overpressure injury and argues for the urgent need to identify potential biomarkers that can hint at the different mechanisms involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Firas Kobeissy
- Department of Psychiatry, Center of Neuroproteomics & Biomarker Research, University of Florida , Gainesville, FL , USA ; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, American University of Beirut Medical Center , Beirut , Lebanon
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