Journal article
Enhanced attention in rats following blast-induced traumatic brain injury
Heliyon, Vol.10(4), e25661
02/01/2024
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25661
PMCID: PMC10878867
PMID: 38384534
Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate visuo-cognitive sequelae following blast-induced traumatic brain injury in a rat model. Methods: Rats were randomly assigned to one of four groups depending on the intensity/quantity of a blast received in a blast chamber: sham (no blast), low intensity (22 psi), medium intensity (26 psi), or three medium intensity blasts (26 psi × 3). After recovery, all subjects were given visual discrimination tasks of increasing complexity, until mastery. After behavioral training, visual function was assessed via spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and pattern electroretinogram, and the extent of retinal damage was quantified via immunohistochemistry of retinal ganglion cells. Results: None of the measures assessing visual function revealed significant differences as a function of blast intensity/quantity. Behavioral training did not disclose short-term effects of blast in general motivation or the development of anticipatory responding. No differences in general learning ability and the number of perseverative errors were observed. However, behavioral training found effects of blast in attentional function; relative to controls, subjects that received blasts were faster in learning to attend to informative (over non-informative) cues in the most difficult visual discrimination task. Conclusion: Blast exposure in rats resulted in increased attention following blast, with no appreciable deficits in visual function. These results are contrary to what is often reported for human clinical populations; as such, more research bridging methodological differences is necessary.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Enhanced attention in rats following blast-induced traumatic brain injury
- Creators
- Victor M. NavarroNickolas BoehmeEdward A. Wasserman - University of IowaMatthew M. Harper
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Heliyon, Vol.10(4), e25661
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25661
- PMID
- 38384534
- PMCID
- PMC10878867
- NLM abbreviation
- Heliyon
- eISSN
- 2405-8440
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Grant note
- DOI: 10.13039/100000738, name: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, award: 1 I01 RX003389, 1 I21 RX003325, 1 I50 RX003002; DOI: 10.13039/100006380, name: Rehabilitation Research and Development Service
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/01/2024
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Biology; Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
- Record Identifier
- 9984560208302771
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