Extent of nerve cell injury in Marmarou's model compared to other brain trauma models.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the extent of nerve cell injury in the Marmarou's acceleration impact model of diffuse brain injury. METHODS: Sensitive markers for cell injury including immunostaining for beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta-APP, a marker for diffuse axonal injury, DAI), Fluoro-Jade (FJ) histochemistry and electron microscopy (EM) were used in sham-operated and traumatized brains. RESULTS: APP immunostaining confirmed and extended previous findings of DAI in association and subcortical fiber systems in the white matter after injury. Increasing FJ labeling of neurons in layers II-III of sensorimotor cortex (smCx) from 4 to 48 hours after trauma and scattered labeled cells were found in the lower cortical layers. EM confirmed the presence of dystrophic pyramidal neurons in layers II-III of smCx 24 and 48 hours post-trauma. DISCUSSION: Taken together, the data revealed significant nerve cell injury without apparent cell death in this model.