Proof of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice

Because it is unethical to produce traumatic brain injury in humans, many of the most cutting-edge experiments are done on mice. Although this is unfortunate, studies show that mild traumatic brain injury, when induced in mice, shows signs of apoptotic cell death in the brain. “Apoptotic cell death” is a fancy word for programed cell death. All the cells in our body have the ability to regulate their population, if needed. In addition to this internal balance in the body, it has been discovered that traumatic brain injury can give rise to dysregulation of brain chemicals and can thus lead to apoptotic cell death in brain cells. This study at the University of Pennsylvania found objective signs of apoptotic cell death following mild traumatic brain injury to rats. Findings of this occurring as a result of mild traumatic brain injury helps explain why, in some cases, mild traumatic brain injury has long standing and profound effects.

A second study on mice published in the Journal of Neurotrauma showed mice with induced mild traumatic brain injury suffered long lasting cognitive defects, emotional difficulties and behavioral disturbances. Again, the prejudice against those who complain of ongoing symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury is increasingly misplaced. These studies show not only objective signs of brain injury after a mild trauma but that long term symptomology is shown in mice similar to those reported in humans with post concussive syndrome.