Analysis of Immediate Cellular Changes in Porcine Brains Using an Ex Vivo Model of Traumatic Brain Injury

The need for a better understanding of the neural responses that occur during a head impact is of upmost importance. The movement of the head and the resulting inertial forces have been shown to create high amounts within the sulcus of the brain. Cellular changes occur after an impact to the head that may begin the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Given the similarities to the human brain, pig brains were used to investigate the biomechanical forces at play and the cellular changes that occur in the sulcus of the brain after an impact. One hour after an ex-vivo impact, there was a decrease in MAP2 cell density only in the apex of the sulcus of the impacted tissue. While there was no change in neuron density that accompanied the change in MAP2 levels, it could be an indication of compromised cellular integrity and window of vulnerability.