Abstract
Given the demand for developing objective methods for characterizing traumatic brain injury (TBI), research dedicated to evaluating putative biomarkers has burgeoned over the past decade. Since it is critical to elucidate the underlying pathological processes that underlie the higher diverse outcomes that follow neurotrauma, considerable efforts have been aimed at identifying biomarkers of both the acute- and chronic-phase TBI. Such information is not only critical for helping to elucidate the pathological changes that lead to poor long-term outcomes following TBI but it may also assist in the identification of possible prevention and interventions for individuals who sustain head trauma. In the current review, we discuss the potential role of vascular dysfunction and chronic inflammation in both acute- and chronic-phase TBI, and we also highlight existing studies that have investigated inflammation biomarkers associated with poorer injury outcome.
Highlights
Since most of the discussed biomarkers have only been studied in the context of moderate and severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) during the acute phase of injury, future research is needed to test the utility of these biomarkers in the setting of the chronic effects of mild head trauma
TBI research has begun to identify effective biomarkers for both the acute and chronic phases of injury
The presence of chronic vascular dysfunction and neuroinflammation may characterize the chronic-phase TBI, and may be responsible for poor long-term outcomes reported in some individuals with head trauma histories
Summary
Integrating multimodal biomarker approaches (e.g., fluid biochemical assays, neuroimaging, electrophysiological measures) may be promising, given that different biomarker methods may provide varied methodological advantages and disadvantages with respect to acute- and chronic-phase TBI sensitivity and specificity. Since most of the discussed biomarkers have only been studied in the context of moderate and severe TBI during the acute phase of injury, future research is needed to test the utility of these biomarkers in the setting of the chronic effects of mild head trauma. TBI research has begun to identify effective biomarkers for both the acute (i.e., primary injury sustained from the initial traumatic force) and chronic (secondary pathological processes that unfold after the initial brain injury that causes long-term changes to brain structure and function) phases of injury.
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