Traumatic brain injury stimulates hippocampal catechol-O-methyl transferase expression in microglia.

ABSTRACT: Outcome following traumatic brain injury (TBI) is in large part determined by the combined action of multiple processes. In order to better understand the response of the central nervous system to injury, we utilized an antibody array to simultaneously screen 507 proteins for altered expression in the injured hippocampus, a structure critical for memory formation. Array analysis indicated 41 candidate proteins have altered expression levels 24h after TBI. Of particular interest was catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT), an enzyme involved in metabolizing catecholamines released following neuronal activity. Altered catecholamine signaling has been observed after brain injury, and may contribute to the cognitive dysfunctions and behavioral deficits often experienced after TBI. Our data shows

SUBMITTER: Redell JB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1857315 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature