Minocycline reduces chronic microglial activation after brain trauma but increases neurodegeneration.

ABSTRACT: Survivors of a traumatic brain injury can deteriorate years later, developing brain atrophy and dementia. Traumatic brain injury triggers chronic microglial activation, but it is unclear whether this is harmful or beneficial. A successful chronic-phase treatment for traumatic brain injury might be to target microglia. In experimental models, the antibiotic minocycline inhibits microglial activation. We investigated the effect of minocycline on microglial activation and neurodegeneration using PET, MRI, and measurement of the axonal protein neurofilament light in plasma. Microglial activation was assessed using 11C-PBR28 PET. The relationships of microglial activation to measures of brain injury, and the effects of minocycline on disease progression, were assessed using structural and diffu

SUBMITTER: Scott G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5837493 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature