Antagonism of purinergic signalling improves recovery from traumatic brain injury.

ABSTRACT: The recent public awareness of the incidence and possible long-term consequences of traumatic brain injury only heightens the need to develop effective approaches for treating this neurological disease. In this report, we identify a new therapeutic target for traumatic brain injury by studying the role of astrocytes, rather than neurons, after neurotrauma. We use in vivo multiphoton imaging and show that mechanical forces during trauma trigger intercellular calcium waves throughout the astrocytes, and these waves are mediated by purinergic signalling. Subsequent in vitro screening shows that astrocyte signalling through the 'mechanical penumbra' affects the activity of neural circuits distant from the injury epicentre, and a reduction in the intercellular calcium waves within astrocytes re

SUBMITTER: Choo AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3562075 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature