Abstract #1057

Quantification of Diffusion Tensor Changes in a Rat Model of Primary Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury

Evan Calabrese¹, Cory Riccio², G. Allan Johnson¹, Joseph B. Long²

¹Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States; ²Blast-Induced Neurotrauma Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States

An estimated 15-20% of United States military personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have suffered some form of blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI). Unfortunately, bTBI produces a heterogeneous injury that is often not grossly visible on CT or MRI, which makes diagnosis and treatment difficult. A substantial need exists for a robust, quantifiable animal model of bTBI to study its effects and to help evaluate interventions. Currently, models of bTBI are assessed with histology, making quantification difficult. In this study, we report quantitative changes in DTI tissue microstructural metrics in a rat model of primary bTBI.