Sex-Specific Differences in Rodents Following a Single Primary Blast Exposure: Focus on the Monoamine and Galanin Systems.

Most blast-induced traumatic brain injuries (bTBI) are mild in severity and culpable for the lingering and persistent neuropsychological complaints in affected individuals. There is evidence that the prevalence of symptoms post-exposure may be sex-specific. Our laboratory has focused on changes in the monoamine and the neuropeptide, galanin, systems in male rodents following primary bTBI.

A Comparative Study of Two Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury Models: Changes in Monoamine and Galanin Systems Following Single and Repeated Exposure.

Repeated mild blast-induced traumatic brain injury (rmbTBI), caused by recurrent exposure to low levels of explosive blast, is a significant concern for military health systems. However, the pathobiology of rmbTBI is currently poorly understood. Animal models are important tools to identify the molecular changes of rmbTBI, but comparisons across different models can present their own challenges.

Expression of galanin and its receptors are perturbed in a rodent model of mild, blast-induced traumatic brain injury.

The symptomatology, mood and cognitive disturbances seen in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mild blast-induced traumatic brain injury (mbTBI) overlap considerably. However the pathological mechanisms underlying the two conditions are currently unknown. The neuropeptide galanin has been suggested to play a role in the development of stress and mood disorders.

Neurotransmitter Systems in a Mild Blast Traumatic Brain Injury Model: Catecholamines and Serotonin.

Exposure to improvised explosive devices can result in a unique form of traumatic brain injury--blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI). At the mild end of the spectrum (mild bTBI [mbTBI]), there are cognitive and mood disturbances. Similar symptoms have been observed in post-traumatic stress disorder caused by exposure to extreme psychological stress without physical injury.