Browsing by Author "Eyolfson, Eric"
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- ItemOpen AccessThe Importance of Sex and Age in Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury(2022-05) Eyolfson, Eric; Mychasiuk, Richelle; Lohman, Alexander; Antle, Michael; Kuipers, HedwichAdolescence is the age group who experience the highest rates of mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI). In part due to high risk-taking situations and sensation seeking behaviours adolescents are also at high risk for repetitive mTBIs (RmTBI). As a field, we know shockingly little about the risk factors to receive mTBI, immediate, and long-term outcomes following mTBI in this age group. Although sex appears to exert the greatest influence on these outcomes, even less is known about mTBI and RmTBI in female adolescents. Previous research has focused on adult males, but it is becoming ever clearer that understanding the pathophysiology of underrepresented groups (females and adolescents) may help us fully appreciate the sequelae of mTBI and RmTBI. The review article in chapter two highlights what is currently known about mTBI in adolescence, the role of microglia, and generates hypotheses about the potential long-term consequences of injuries during this critical window of development. The research article in chapter three translates an ecologically valid model of RmTBI from rats to mice and probes the dynamics of the neuroinflammatory response in adolescents, specifically focusing on time- and region-dependent dynamics of microglia. The research article in chapter four directly compares the adolescent and adult behavioural, microglial, and neuronal response to RmTBI. Chapter five probes the influence of epigenetics by manipulating paternal preconception environment and transfer of these experiences to adolescent offspring responses to RmTBI. My current research provides new research directions for future experiments, particularly highlighting the need to include underrepresented groups; emphasizing that females are not small males and adolescents are not small adults. Understanding the age- and sex-specific pathophysiological mechanisms at play following RmTBI will allow us to identify new targeted avenues to treat diverse populations who experience these recurring injuries.
- ItemOpen AccessMicroglia dynamics in adolescent traumatic brain injury(2020-10-29) Eyolfson, Eric; Khan, Asher; Mychasiuk, Richelle; Lohman, Alexander WAbstract Repetitive, mild traumatic brain injuries (RmTBIs) are increasingly common in adolescents and encompass one of the largest neurological health concerns in the world. Adolescence is a critical period for brain development where RmTBIs can substantially impact neurodevelopmental trajectories and life-long neurological health. Our current understanding of RmTBI pathophysiology suggests key roles for neuroinflammation in negatively regulating neural health and function. Microglia, the brain’s resident immune population, play important roles in brain development by regulating neuronal number, and synapse formation and elimination. In response to injury, microglia activate to inflammatory phenotypes that may detract from these normal homeostatic, physiological, and developmental roles. To date, however, little is known regarding the impact of RmTBIs on microglia function during adolescent brain development. This review details key concepts surrounding RmTBI pathophysiology, adolescent brain development, and microglia dynamics in the developing brain and in response to injury, in an effort to formulate a hypothesis on how the intersection of these processes may modify long-term trajectories.