Somatomotor and Behavioral Changes Following Traumatic Brain Injury

Overpressurization blast (OB) exposure used to induce traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the rodent model can result in somatomotor and behavioral changes. Increased anxiety is evidenced after OB TBI in Dorsal and Frontal blast-wave exposed injured animals. Sustained impaired somatosensory functions occur after multiple OB injuries in Dorsal animals. Somatomotor function is impaired acutely but partially recovers after OB injury in Frontal animals. The Dorsal Group had reduction in risk-taking behavior in Group 1 (low pressure OB) and in total exploration in Group 2 (high pressure OB). The critical time point for somatosensory and somatomotor function impairment occurs at 24 hours post-OB injury with Group 1 demonstrating somatosensory and Group 2 demonstrating somatomotor deficits. The results suggest orientation and pressure magnitude have a significant impact on behavioral outcome measures following OB injuries as well as cumulative effects of repeated OB.