Traumatic Axonal Injury: Mechanisms and Translational Opportunities

Ciaran S Hill; Michael P Coleman; David K Menon

doi:10.1016/j.tins.2016.03.002

Traumatic Axonal Injury: Mechanisms and Translational Opportunities

Trends Neurosci. 2016 May;39(5):311-324. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2016.03.002. Epub 2016 Mar 31.

Authors

Ciaran S Hill¹, Michael P Coleman², David K Menon³

Affiliations

¹ John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. Electronic address: csch2@cam.ac.uk.
² John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
³ John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Division of Anaesthesia, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

Abstract

Traumatic axonal injury (TAI) is an important pathoanatomical subgroup of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a major driver of mortality and functional impairment. Experimental models have provided insights into the effects of mechanical deformation on the neuronal cytoskeleton and the subsequent processes that drive axonal injury. There is also increasing recognition that axonal or white matter loss may progress for years post-injury and represent one mechanistic framework for progressive neurodegeneration after TBI. Previous trials of novel therapies have failed to make an impact on clinical outcome, in both TBI in general and TAI in particular. Recent advances in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of injury have the potential to translate into novel therapeutic targets.

Keywords: axon; brain; degeneration; injury; therapeutics; traumatic.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Axons*
Brain / physiopathology*
Brain Injuries / physiopathology*
Diffuse Axonal Injury / physiopathology*
Disease Models, Animal
Humans

Grant support

Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom