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Abstract #1414

Axonal alterations at acute stage of a non-impact, blast-induced rat brain injury model by in vivo diffusion tensor imaging

Shiyu Tang 1,2 , Su Xu 1,2 , William L Fourney 3,4 , Ulrich H Leist 3,4 , Julie L Proctor 5,6 , Gary Fiskum 5,6 , and Rao P Gullapalli 1,2

1 Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States, 2 Core for Translational Research in Imaging @ Maryland, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States, 3 Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, United States, 4 Center of Energetics Concepts Development, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States, 5 Department of Anesthesiology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States, 6 Shock, Trauma, and Anesthesiology Research Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States

Blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) is the hallmark injury of recent wars that includes injuries associated with underbody blasts caused by vertical acceleration. However, it is unknown if blast-induced hyper-acceleration (BIH) alone can cause bTBI in the absence of mechanical injury. This study investigated axonal alterations using in vivo DTI at 2-hours after under-vehicle BIH in rat brains using a novel recently introduced model of bTBI. Significantly elevated axial diffusivity, decreased mean and radial diffusivities were observed in multiple brain regions which indicated early axonal injury following bTBI. This unique model of bTBI can provide insights into pure underbody bTBI.

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