Use of Machine Learning to Re-Assess Patterns of Multivariate Functional Recovery after Fluid Percussion Injury: Operation Brain Trauma Therapy

Understanding Individual Subject Differences through Large Behavioral Datasets: Analytical and Statistical Considerations

A core feature of behavior analysis is the single-subject design, in which each subject serves as its own control. This approach is powerful for identifying manipulations that are causal to behavioral changes but often fails to account for individual differences, particularly when coupled with a small sample size. It is more common for other subfields of psychology to use larger-N approaches; however, these designs also often fail to account for the individual by focusing on aggregate-level data only. Moving forward, it is important to study individual differences to identify subgroups of the population that may respond differently to interventions and to improve the generalizability and reproducibility of behavioral science. We propose that large-N datasets should be used in behavior analysis to better understand individual subject variability. First, we describe how individual differences have been historically treated and then outline practical reasons to study individual subject variability. Then, we describe various methods for analyzing large-N datasets while accounting for the individual, including correlational analyses, machine learning, mixed-effects models, clustering, and simulation. We provide relevant examples of these techniques from published behavioral literature and from a publicly available dataset compiled from five different rat experiments, which illustrates both group-level effects and heterogeneity across individual subjects. We encourage other behavior analysts to make use of the substantial advancements in online data sharing to compile large-N datasets and use statistical approaches to explore individual differences.

Functional connectivity, tissue microstructure and T2 at 11.1 Tesla distinguishes neuroadaptive differences in two traumatic brain injury models in rats: A Translational Outcomes Project in NeuroTrauma (TOP-NT) UG3 phase study

The damage caused by contusive traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) is thought to involve breakdown in neuronal communication through focal and diffuse axonal injury along with alterations to the neuronal chemical environment, which adversely affects neuronal networks beyond the injury epicenter(s). In the present study, functional connectivity along with brain tissue microstructure coupled with T2 relaxometry were assessed in two experimental TBI models in rat, controlled cortical impact (CCI) and lateral fluid percussive injury (LFPI). Rats were scanned on an 11.1 Tesla scanner on days 2 and 30 following either CCI or LFPI. Naive controls were scanned once and used as a baseline comparison for both TBI groups. Scanning included functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), diffusion weighted images (DWI), and multi-echo T2 images. fMRI scans were analyzed for functional connectivity across laterally and medially located region of interests (ROIs) across the cortical mantle, hippocampus, and dorsal striatum. DWI scans were processed to generate maps of fractional anisotropy, mean, axial, and radial diffusivities (FA, MD, AD, RD). The analyses focused on cortical and white matter (WM) regions at or near the TBI epicenter. Our results indicate that rats exposed to CCI and LFPI had significantly increased contralateral intra-cortical connectivity at 2 days post-injury. This was observed across similar areas of the cortex in both groups. The increased contralateral connectivity was still observed by day 30 in CCI, but not LFPI rats. Although both CCI and LFPI had changes in WM and cortical FA and diffusivities, WM changes were most predominant in CCI and cortical changes in LFPI. Our results provide support for the use of multimodal MR imaging for different types of contusive and skull-penetrating injury.

Increasing Rigor of Preclinical Research to Maximize Opportunities for Translation

The use of animal models in pre-clinical research has significantly broadened our understanding of the pathologies that underlie traumatic brain injury (TBI)-induced damage and deficits. However, despite numerous pre-clinical studies reporting the identification of promising neurotherapeutics, translation of these therapies to clinical application has so far eluded the TBI research field. A concerted effort to address this lack of translatability is long overdue. Given the inherent heterogeneity of TBI and the replication crisis that continues to plague biomedical research, this is a complex task that will require a multifaceted approach centered around rigor and reproducibility. Here, we discuss the role of three primary focus areas for better aligning pre-clinical research with clinical TBI management. These focus areas are (1) reporting and standardization of protocols, (2) replication of prior knowledge including the confirmation of expected pharmacodynamics, and (3) the broad application of open science through inter-center collaboration and data sharing. We further discuss current efforts that are establishing the core framework needed for successfully addressing the translatability crisis of TBI.

Effect of Early Rehabilitation Nursing on Motor Function and Living Ability of Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury Based on Orem’s Self-Care Theory

Objective

To explore the effect of early rehabilitation nursing on motor function and living ability of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) based on Orem's self-care theory.

Methods

A total of 60 patients with TBI treated in our hospital from February 2019 to June 2021 were enrolled. The patients were randomly divided into a control group and a research group. The control group adopted the early rehabilitation nursing model, while the research group adopted the early rehabilitation nursing model based on Orem's self-nursing theory. Nursing satisfaction, Fugl-Meyer score, NIH-SS score, Barthel index, quality of life score, and compliance were in the comparison of the two groups.

Results

The nursing satisfaction of the research group was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the Fugl-Meyer scores of the research group were higher at 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months after nursing (P < 0.05). After nursing, the NIH-SS score of the two groups decreased. In the comparison of the two groups, the NIH-SS score of the research group at 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months after nursing was lower (P < 0.05). After nursing, the Barthel index of the two groups increased. In the comparison of the two groups, the Barthel index of the research group was higher compared to the control group at 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months after nursing (P < 0.05). The scores of physiological function, psychological function, social function, and health self-cognition in the research group were lower (P < 0.05). The compliance rate of the research group was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Patients with TBI receive early rehabilitation nursing based on Orem's self-care theory, which can effectively improve patient satisfaction and compliance and achieve the purpose of improving motor function and living ability. This nursing program is worth popularizing in the clinic.