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Monsour M, Lee JY, Borlongan CV. An Understated Comorbidity: The Impact of Homelessness on Traumatic Brain Injury. Neurotherapeutics 2023; 20:1446-1456. [PMID: 37639189 PMCID: PMC10684446 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-023-01419-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI), a neurovascular injury caused by external force, is a common diagnosis among veterans and those experiencing homelessness (HL). There is a significant overlap in the veteran and homeless population, possibly accounting for the two to seven times greater incidence of TBI among those experiencing HL than the general population. Despite these statistics, individuals experiencing HL are often underdiagnosed and ineffectively treated for TBI. We introduced a novel model of HL. Over 5 weeks, adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of the following conditions: TBI only, HL only, TBI + HL, or control (n = 9 per group). To emulate HL, animals (2 animals per cage) were exposed to soiled beddings for 5 weeks. Subsequently, animals were introduced to TBI by using the moderate controlled cortical impact model, then underwent 4 consecutive days of behavioral testing (beam walk (BW), elevated body swing test (EBST), forelimb akinesia (FA), paw grasp (PG), Rotorod, and elevated T-maze). Nissl staining was performed to determine the peri-impact cell survival and the integrity of corpus callosum area. Motor function was significantly impaired by TBI, regardless of housing (beam walk or BW 85.0%, forelimb akinesia or FA 104.7%, and paw grasp or PG 100% greater deficit compared to control). Deficits were worsened by HL in TBI rats (BW 93.3%, FA 40.5%, and PG 50% greater deficit). Two-way ANOVA revealed BW (F(4, 160) = 31.69, p < 0.0001), FA (F(4, 160) = 13.71, p < 0.0001), PG (F(4, 160) = 3.873, p = 0.005), Rotorod (F(4, 160), p = 1.116), and EBST (F(4, 160) = 6.929, p < 0.0001) showed significant differences between groups. The Rotorod and EBST tests showed TBI-induced functional deficits when analyzed by day, but these deficits were not exacerbated by HL. TBI only and TBI + HL rats exhibited typical cortical impact damage (F(3,95) = 51.75, p < 0.0001) and peri-impact cell loss compared to control group (F(3,238) = 47.34, p < 0.0001). Most notably, TBI + HL rats showed significant alterations in WM area measured via the corpus callosum (F(3, 95) = 3.764, p = 0.0133). Worsened behavioral outcomes displayed by TBI + HL rats compared to TBI alone suggest HL contributes to TBI functional deficits. While an intact white matter, such as the corpus callosum, may lessen the consequent functional deficits associated with TBI by enhancing hemispheric communications, there are likely alternative cellular and molecular pathways mitigating TBI-associated inflammatory or oxidative stress responses. Here, we showed that the environmental condition of the patient, i.e., HL, participates in white matter integrity and behavioral outcomes, suggesting its key role in the disease diagnosis to aptly treat TBI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Monsour
- University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, 560 Channelside Dr., Tampa, FL, 33606, USA
| | - J-Y Lee
- Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, 12901 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - C V Borlongan
- Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, 12901 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
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Stubbs JL, Jones AA, Wolfman D, Chan RCY, Vila-Rodriguez F, Vertinsky AT, Heran MK, Su W, Lang DJ, Field TS, Gicas KM, Woodward ML, Thornton AE, Barr AM, Leonova O, MacEwan W, Rauscher A, Honer WG, Panenka WJ. Differential age-associated brain atrophy and white matter changes among homeless and precariously housed individuals compared with the general population. BMJ Neurol Open 2023; 5:e000349. [PMID: 36660541 PMCID: PMC9843194 DOI: 10.1136/bmjno-2022-000349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Homeless or precariously housed individuals live with poor health and experience premature mortality compared with the general population, yet little is known about age-related brain changes among these individuals. We evaluated whether MRI measures of brain structure are differentially associated with age and selected risk factors among individuals who are homeless or precariously housed compared with a general population sample. Methods We compared T1-weighted and diffusion tensor imaging measures of brain macrostructure and white matter microstructure in a well-characterised sample of 312 precariously housed participants with a publicly available dataset of 382 participants recruited from the general population. We used piecewise and multiple linear regression to examine differential associations between MRI measures and between the samples, and to explore associations with risk factors in the precariously housed sample. Results Compared with the general population sample, older age in the precariously housed sample was associated with more whole-brain atrophy (β=-0.20, p=0.0029), lower whole-brain fractional anisotropy (β=-0.32, p<0.0001) and higher whole-brain mean diffusivity (β=0.69, p<0.0001). Several MRI measures had non-linear associations with age, with further adverse changes after age 35-40 in the precariously housed sample. History of traumatic brain injury, stimulant dependence and heroin dependence was associated with more atrophy or alterations in white matter diffusivity in the precariously housed sample. Conclusions Older age is associated with adverse MRI measures of brain structure among homeless and precariously housed individuals compared with the general population. Education, improvements in care provision and policy may help to reduce the health disparities experienced by these individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob L Stubbs
- Department of Psychaitry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada,British Columbia Mental Health and Substance Use Services Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Andrea A Jones
- Division of Neurology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Daniel Wolfman
- Department of Psychaitry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada,British Columbia Mental Health and Substance Use Services Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ryan C Y Chan
- Department of Psychaitry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada,British Columbia Mental Health and Substance Use Services Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Fidel Vila-Rodriguez
- Department of Psychaitry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada,Non-Invasive Neurostimulation Therapies Laboratory, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Manraj K Heran
- Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Wayne Su
- Department of Psychaitry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada,British Columbia Mental Health and Substance Use Services Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Donna J Lang
- British Columbia Mental Health and Substance Use Services Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada,Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Thalia S Field
- Division of Neurology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Melissa L Woodward
- Department of Psychaitry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada,British Columbia Mental Health and Substance Use Services Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Allen E Thornton
- British Columbia Mental Health and Substance Use Services Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada,Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - Alasdair M Barr
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Olga Leonova
- Department of Psychaitry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - William MacEwan
- Department of Psychaitry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Alexander Rauscher
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - William G Honer
- Department of Psychaitry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada,British Columbia Mental Health and Substance Use Services Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - William J Panenka
- Department of Psychaitry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada,British Columbia Mental Health and Substance Use Services Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada,British Columbia Neuropsychiatry Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Monsour M, Borlongan CV. No one left behind: Inclusion of individuals experiencing homelessness in TBI stem cell therapy. Med Hypotheses 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2022.111002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Chan V, Estrella MJ, Baddeliyanage R, Shah R, Babineau J, Colantonio A. Rehabilitation among individuals experiencing homelessness and traumatic brain injury: A scoping review. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:916602. [PMID: 36438043 PMCID: PMC9692012 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.916602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is disproportionately prevalent among individuals experiencing homelessness. While rehabilitation is critical to facilitating recovery after TBI, there is currently limited information on the extent to which rehabilitation is provided to individuals experiencing homelessness and TBI. If unaddressed, this knowledge gap can perpetuate TBI-related challenges and contribute to a repetitive cycle of TBI and homelessness. This scoping review explored the extent to which rehabilitation, including the types of rehabilitation interventions, are available to, or used by, individuals experiencing homelessness and TBI. A systematic search of electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL Register of Clinical Trials, CINAHL, APA PsycINFO, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts, and Proquest Nursing and Allied Health) was conducted to identify peer-reviewed articles that met predetermined eligibility criteria. Gray literature and reference lists of eligible articles were also searched for relevant content. A descriptive numerical summary of extracted data was conducted, and qualitative analytic techniques were applied to analyze the data. Fifteen peer-reviewed articles and three gray literature reports were included, describing interventions for individuals experiencing homelessness and TBI (N = 4), rehabilitation for individuals experiencing homelessness without specific inclusion criteria for TBI (N = 11), and rehabilitation interventions that included individuals experiencing homelessness and TBI, without specific inclusion criteria for experiences of homelessness or TBI (N = 3). This review demonstrates that rehabilitation programs or interventions for this population already exist, and those that are focused on individuals experiencing homelessness are already serving individuals with TBI. Findings highlight opportunities to adapt existing rehabilitation for individuals who experience homelessness and TBI through screening for TBI, conducting cognitive and functional assessments, and tailoring interventions with multidisciplinary teams. Education and training for healthcare professionals working with individuals experiencing homelessness and TBI should be explored, including structured education and training, collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, and co-development of educational materials with service users. Research that considers the rehabilitation needs of diverse individuals experiencing homelessness and TBI is urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincy Chan
- KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Maria Jennifer Estrella
- Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Riya Shah
- Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jessica Babineau
- Library and Information Services, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- The Institute for Education Research, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Angela Colantonio
- KITE Research Institute, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Maldonado-Rodriguez N, Crocker CV, Taylor E, Jones KE, Rothlander K, Smirl J, Wallace C, van Donkelaar P. Characterization of Cognitive-Motor Function in Women Who Have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence-Related Brain Injury. J Neurotrauma 2021; 38:2723-2730. [PMID: 34036801 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2021.0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects at least one in three women worldwide, and up to 92% report symptoms consistent with brain injury (BI). Although a handful of studies have examined different aspects of brain structure and function in this population, none has characterized potential deficits in cognitive-motor function. This knowledge gap was addressed in the current study by having participants who had experienced IPV complete the bimanual Object Hit & Avoid (OHA) task in a Kinesiological Instrument for Normal and Altered Reaching Movement (KINARM) End-Point Laboratory. BI load, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, substance use, and history of abuse were also assessed. A stepwise multiple regression was undertaken to explore the relationship between BI load and task performance while accounting for comorbid psychopathologies. Results demonstrated that BI load accounted for a significant amount of variability in the number of targets hit and the average hand speed. PTSD, anxiety, and depression also contributed significantly to the variability in these measures as well as to the number and proportion of distractor hits, and the object processing rate. Taken together, these findings suggest that IPV-related BI, as well as comorbid PTSD, anxiety, and depression, disrupt the processing required to quickly and accurately hit targets while avoiding distractors. This pattern of results reflects the complex interaction between the physical injuries induced by the episodes of IPV and the resulting impacts that these experiences have on mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Maldonado-Rodriguez
- School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Clara Val Crocker
- School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Edward Taylor
- School of Social Work, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
| | - K Elisabeth Jones
- School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Krystal Rothlander
- School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jon Smirl
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Colin Wallace
- School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Paul van Donkelaar
- School of Health and Exercise Sciences, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
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