Found in translation: Understanding the biology and behavior of experimental traumatic brain injury

Abstract

The aim of this review is to discuss in greater detail the topics covered in the recent symposium entitled "Traumatic brain injury: laboratory and clinical perspectives," presented at the 2014 International Behavioral Neuroscience Society annual meeting. Herein, we review contemporary laboratory models of traumatic brain injury (TBI) including common assays for sensorimotor and cognitive behavior. New modalities to evaluate social behavior after injury to the developing brain, as well as the attentional set-shifting test (AST) as a measure of executive function in TBI, will be highlighted. Environmental enrichment (EE) will be discussed as a preclinical model of neurorehabilitation, and finally, an evidence-based approach to sports-related concussion will be considered. The review consists predominantly of published data, but some discussion of ongoing or future directions is provided.

Keywords: Attentional set-shifting test (AST); Closed head injury; Concussion; Controlled cortical impact (CCI); Environmental enrichment (EE); Fluid percussion (FP); Neurorehabilitation; Pediatrics; Social behavior.

Figure 1

Modified illustrations of the three most commonly used rodent models of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Fluid percussion (A), controlled cortical impact (B), and closed head impact-acceleration/weight drop (C).

Figure 2

Photograph of the environmental enrichment (EE) cage with multiple levels and wide array of sensory stimuli (e.g., balls, ramps, tubes, and nesting materials). Typically 10-12 rats, which include a subset of all experimental groups (i.e., both TBI and sham controls) are housed together to ensure equal conditions. The continuously housed rats are removed only briefly for behavioral assessments, weighing, and if applicable, drug administrations, while those in abbreviated rehabilitation paradigms are removed after their prescribed time and returned to STD laboratory cages.