The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is completing research into understanding how microscopic nerve cells in the brain are affected during a traumatic brain injury.

Anatomy of Neuronal Shearing

The brain is composed of cells which are called neurons. A neuron has a long nerve fiber which is called an axon, and a cell body. Coming off of the cell body are projections which are called dendrites. The nerve fibers, or axons, are the communication links throughout the brain, and essential for sending messages.

When the brain experiences a powerful force, either through direct impact or sudden changes in atmospheric pressure, the long nerve fibers can be torn. This is called shearing, or “diffuse axonal injury”. As soon as these nerve fibers are damaged, the brain is no longer able to send chemical messages to other parts of the brain along those pathways.

The nerve fiber swells from the damage, and may even be pulled away from the cell body it was originally attached to. The fiber begins to die off, and during that process it also releases the very chemicals it used to communicate, at a rapid rate.

This release of neurotransmitter chemicals is very toxic to the other nerve cells in the brain. The sudden influx of chemicals overstimulates neighboring nerve cells which are then damaged and can begin releasing their own neurotransmitter chemicals. It’s a deadly cycle. The damage usually continues for a day or two after the initial injury.

Research

Researchers are currently looking at a variety of chemicals that can stop this deadly cycle of cellular death. They are also considering how different areas of the brain may release different chemicals. Understanding where the nerve damage occurred, and the primary chemical messages sent from that part of the brain, is essential to finding the right antidote.

Studies into the use of stem cells is also starting, although this is a new area of exploration.

The brain has an amazing capacity to rewire itself. With the right therapies, functions that were once lost can be regained as the brain learns how to work around the damage. The brain’s ability to do this is called plasticity. Getting the right therapeutic interventions to maximize plasticity helps the brain relearn and reprogram itself.

Dr. Vigna works closely with leading doctors and therapeutic specialists who help individuals suffering from critical injury recover. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

Photo credits Margaret I. Davis, National Institutes of Health