Traumatic Brain Injury
Conditions
Keywords
TBI, Brain Injury
Brief summary
The aim of this research is to determine if the biological fluids (blood/saliva) from chronic brain-injured patients (both blast and non-penetrating TBI) contain reproducible protein markers. To accomplish this two populations of chronic TBI patients who are receiving treatment at The Institute for Research and Rehabilitation (TIRR): blast injury victims and non-penetrating TBI will be studied. Using multiple proteomic approaches including mass spectrometry, multiplex ELISAs, and antibody microarrays, as well as RNA profiling, the investigators aim to identify biomarkers in the blood/saliva of patients suffering from chronic TBI and to determine the similarities/differences between the blast and non-penetrating injury groups. Identification of these biochemical changes will give insight into the long-lasting changes associated with head injury, and may identify new targets for treating the associated pathologies.
Interventions
OTHERBlood/saliva sampling
one-time blood sample (\~ 1 TBS) and saliva sample (\~ 1 tsp)
Sponsors
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
OTHER
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Chronic TBI patients: Inclusion Criteria Have a history of head trauma manifesting in one or more of the following: * Loss of consciousness * Post-traumatic amnesia * Focal neurologic deficits, seizure * Persistent symptoms of increased arousal (e.g. difficulty falling or staying asleep, anger and hypervigilance) * Impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning (e.g. problems with work and relationships.)
Exclusion criteria
Inability to obtain informed consent and if they are non-communicative (i.e. in a vegetative state). Healthy volunteers: Inclusion Criteria * No significant medical history * Take no medications (other than birth control pills) * Fever free * No history of head trauma or recent injury/infection * No history of neurological or psychiatric disorders or alcohol or drug dependency.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Proteomic analysis of plasma | average of 6 months post injury | The aim is to identify biomarkers in the blood of patients suffering from chronic TBI and to determine the similarities/differences between the blast and non-penetrating injury groups. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Proteomic analysis of saliva | average of 6 months post injury | The aim is to identify biomarkers in the saliva of patients suffering from chronic TBI and to determine the similarities/differences between the blast and non-penetrating injury groups. |
Countries
United States
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORGeorgene Hergenroeder, PhD
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Outcome results
None listed