Blast-induced "PTSD": Evidence from an animal model. (February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Perez-Garcia, Georgina; Gama Sosa, Miguel A.; De Gasperi, Rita; Tschiffely, Anna E.; McCarron, Richard M.; Hof, Patrick R.; Gandy, Sam; Ahlers, Stephen T.; Elder, Gregory A.
• Is Part Of: Neuropharmacology. Volume 145(2019)Part B
• Page Start: 220
• Page End: 229
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Subjects: Anxiety -- Animal models -- BCI-838 -- Blast -- Metabotropic glutamate receptor -- Postconcussion syndrome -- Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Rat -- Traumatic brain injury; Neuropsychopharmacology -- Periodicals; Autonomic Agents -- Periodicals; Neuropsychopharmacologie -- Périodiques; Neuropsychopharmacology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 615.78
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.09.023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0028-3908

Abstract

Abstract: A striking observation among veterans returning from the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan has been the co-occurrence of blast-related mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD and mTBI might coexist due to additive effects of independent psychological and physical traumas experienced in a war zone. Alternatively blast injury might induce PTSD-related traits or damage brain structures that mediate responses to psychological stressors, increasing the likelihood that PTSD will develop following a subsequent psychological stressor. Rats exposed to repetitive low-level blasts consisting of three 74.5 kPa exposures delivered once daily for three consecutive days develop a variety of anxiety and PTSD-related behavioral traits that are present for at least 9 months after blast exposure. A single predator scent challenge delivered 8 months after the last blast exposure induces additional anxiety-related changes that are still present 45 days later. Because the blast injuries occur under general anesthesia, it appears that blast exposure in the absence of a psychological stressor can induce chronic PTSD-related traits. The reaction to a predator scent challenge delivered many months after blast exposure suggests that blast exposure in addition sensitizes the brain to react abnormally to subsequent psychological stressors. The development of PTSD-related behavioral traits in the absence of a psychological stressor suggests the existence of blast-induced "PTSD". Findings that PTSD-related behavioral traits can be reversed by BCI-838, a group II metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist offers insight into pathogenesis and possible treatment options for blast-related brain injury. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled "Novel Treatments for Traumatic Brain Injury". Highlights: Separating the effects of blast-related mTBI from PTSD has been difficult. Blast exposure in rats induces PTSD-related traits without a psychogical stressor. mGluR2/3 antagonists such as BCI-838 may treat the PTSD that follows blast injury.