阿魏酸对创伤性脑损伤小鼠的神经保护作用

目的本研究利用创伤性脑损伤(traumatic brain injury,TBI)小鼠模型观察阿魏酸(FA)对TBI的神经保护作用,为防治TBI继发性损伤的药物开发提供新思路。方法利用C57/BL6小鼠采用小鼠重复轻度脑损伤模型进行造模。通过干湿重比值法检测脑组织水肿、水迷宫实验检测小鼠学习记忆能力、HE染色法观察小鼠脑组织形态学变化、采用免疫组化法检测小胶质细胞的激活情况。结果与TBI组小鼠比较,阿魏酸组小鼠:脑含水量明显降低(P<0.05),Morris水迷宫实验中逃避潜伏期较TBI模型组明显缩短,原象限停留时间明显延长,活化的小胶质细胞减少。结论阿魏酸可改善TBI小鼠的空间学习记忆能力,降低TBI小鼠脑含水量,改善TBI小鼠的脑组织形态学变化,其机制与阿魏酸抑制小胶质细胞活化有关。     

Reference Values and Psychometric Properties of the Quality of Life After Traumatic Brain Injury-Overall Scale in Italy,The Netherlands,and the United Kingdom

ObjectivesThe Quality of Life after Brain Injury-Overall Scale (QOLIBRI-OS) is a short screening instrument for assessing disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after traumatic brain injury. To date, no reference values are available for the QOLIBRI-OS in general populations. Thus, this study aimed to establish reference values for the QOLIBRI-OS in general population samples from Italy, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.MethodsData were collected using an online survey. The total sample comprised 11759 participants, consisting of 3549 Italian, 3564 Dutch, and 4646 British subjects. In this sample, 49% of the total sample did not report any health complaints, whereas 51% had at least 1 chronic health condition. Reference values were deduced for the QOLIBRI-OS for health-condition–related samples and total general population samples per country. To ensure the comparability of these values, measurement invariance was assessed using a multigroup confirmatory factor analysis. Covariates characterizing the reference values were selected with the help of regression analyses.ResultsThe confirmatory factor analysis confirmed that the QOLIBRI-OS scores measured the same traumatic brain injury–specific HRQoL construct across the 3 countries. Healthy individuals reported significantly higher HRQoL than individuals with at least 1 chronic health condition. Older age and higher education levels were significantly associated with higher HRQoL.ConclusionsBecause the reference values displayed differences in terms of age and education level across the 3 countries, we recommend using country-specific reference values stratified by sociodemographic and health status in research and clinical practice.     

大鼠脑损伤后GABA及其受体GABAAR的变化

目的 探讨GABA及其受体GABAAR在创伤性脑损伤（TBI）后的变化规律及其在继发性脑损害中的作用。方法 用大鼠颅脑打击伤动物模型、免疫组织化学方法,观察了致伤后不同时相大鼠伤侧及对侧皮层、海马的GABA及GABAARα2阳性神经元的表达变化。结果 致伤后伤侧皮层GABA／GABAARα1阳性神经元逐渐减少,12h降至最低,对侧皮层无改变;伤侧海马及对侧海马GABA阳性神经元逐渐减少,12h降至最低;伤侧海马GABAARα1的改变与GABA的改变一致,对侧海马无改变。结论 TBI后脑内抑制性神经递质GABA及其受体GABAAR的表达下调也可能是继发性脑损害的重要因素之一。     

The WCST-64: A Standardized Short-Form of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test

The Wisconsin Cart Sorting Test (WCST) is a well-established measure of executive function. Practical and financial constraints have increased the need for abbreviated neuropsychological procedures. A number of abbreviated versions of the WCST have been introduced and cogent arguments can be made for one over another in certain situations. However, the single deck, 64-card WCST (WCST-64) is the most logical and practical short form. Psychological Assessment Resources (PAR) has recently published a new manual with comprehensive norms for the WCST-64. This paper reviews the new product, discusses the comparability of the WCST-64 and the standard version, and suggests directions for future research.     

Is computer-assisted training effective in improving rehabilitative outcomes after brain injury? A case-control hospital-based study

BackgroundRehabilitation of impaired cognitive functions begins to be considered a standard component of medical care after acquired brain injury. Indeed, many evidences support the effectiveness of the two major categories of techniques, i.e. the traditional and computer-assisted ones, which are widely used in cognitive rehabilitative treatment.ObjectiveAim of this study is to evaluate the effects of pc – cognitive training in brain injury patients.MethodsWe studied 35 subjects (randomly divided into two groups), affected by traumatic or vascular brain injury, having attended from January 2010 to December 2012 the Laboratory of Robotic and Cognitive Rehabilitation of IRCCS Neurolesi of Messina. Cognitive impairment was investigated through psychometric battery, administered before (T0) and two months (T1) after the cognitive pc-training, which was performed only by the experimental group, in addition to conventional treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon test with a p < 0.01.ResultsAt time T0, all patients showed language deficits and cognitive alterations in visual attention and memory abilities. After the rehabilitation program we noted a global improvement in both the groups. However, at T1, the experimental group showed a greater cognitive improvement than the control group, with significant differences in nearly all the neuropsychological tests performed.ConclusionsOur data suggest that cognitive pc-training may be a promising methodology to optimize the rehabilitation outcomes following brain injury.     

Does Analgesic Overuse Contribute to Chronic Post-traumatic Headaches in Adolescent Concussion Patients?

BackgroundThe causes of persistent headache following concussion are poorly understood. The objective of this study is to explore analgesic overuse as a potential cause of chronic post-traumatic headache among adolescents referred to a headache clinic following concussion.MethodsA retrospective chart review was conducted of all adolescent concussion patients referred to our pediatric headache clinic over the 16-month period between August 1, 2011, and November 30, 2012. Those patients with chronic post-traumatic headaches of 3-12 months' duration who also met International Headache Society criteria for probable medication-overuse headache were identified. Demographic data, concussion symptoms, and headache features were characterized from the initial evaluation and from follow-up visits.ResultsOf 104 adolescent concussion patients referred during the study period, 77 had chronic post-traumatic headache of 3-12 months' duration. Fifty-four of 77 (70.1%) met criteria for probable medication-overuse headache. Only simple analgesics were overused. Thirty-seven patients (68.5%) had resolution of headaches or improvements to preconcussion headache patterns after discontinuing analgesics; seven (13%) had no change in headaches or worsening of headaches after discontinuing analgesics and 10 (18.5%) did not discontinue analgesics or were lost to follow-up.ConclusionExcessive use of analgesics postconcussion may contribute to chronic post-traumatic headaches in some adolescents. Management of patients with chronic post-traumatic headache should include analgesic detoxification when medication overuse is suspected.     

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor enhances cellular proliferation and motor function recovery on rats subjected to traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Objective: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in neurological dysfunction and death through primary or secondary mechanisms. Here, we evaluated the effect of osmotic pump delivery of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on the histopathology and motor function recovery of rats after experimental TBI.

Methods: Sprague–Dawley rats were used as experimental model by fluid percussion device to cause brain injury on the motor cortex area. The rats were simultaneously subjected to TBI and were implanted of min-osmotic pump containing recombinant human G-CSF (300 μg/700 μl) via intraperitoneal injection. Motor function was assessed by rotarod test. 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) was used to label the proliferating cells and their differentiation was evaluated by histology and immunohistochemistry.

Results: The G-CSF group showed significantly better motor function recovery than the control group, and the effect lasted up to 14 days after TBI. Moreover, the G-CSF group exhibited a greater increase in the number of BrdU-positive cells compared with the control group. The G-CSF group also had a significantly higher number of DCX-positive cells in the ipsilateral subventricular zone (SVZ) than the control group.

Conclusions: These data suggest that the beneficial effect of delivering G-CSF via an osmotic pump may improve the motor function and enhance neurogenesis in the SVZ of the injured brain.     

Epidemiology of Traumatic Brain Injury and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Incidence rates of traumatic brain injury are high in both industrialized and non-industrialized countries and have been estimated variously to be between 150–250 cases per 100,000 population per year. The estimated incidence rates for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are between 10 to 25 cases per 100,000 population per year. Seasonal variation in the occurrence of subarachnoid hemorrhage has been reported in studies from different countries, with significant seasonal variations and peak periods for aneurysmal SAH differing widely. A differential racial distribution for SAH has been found as well as a higher mortality rate for women than for men. The cognitive and behavioral consequences of TBI and SAH are significant and affect the quality of life of patients and their families. Recent publications have informed of hypopituitary deficits in patients sustaining TBI or SAH. It is not clear whether the cognitive deficits found in these patients are due to the consequences of the brain injury itself or are related to the hypopituitary deficits. There is a need for research distinguishing the differential cognitive and behavioral effects of the brain injury and the endocrinological deficits in these patients, and for developing adequate treatment.