Diffuse axonal injury is a widespread axonal damage that occurs after traumatic brain injury. It involves stretching and shearing of axons that disrupts neuronal transport and homeostasis. This leads to primary axotomy at the time of injury and secondary axotomy over time through injury cascades. Neuroinflammation mediated by microglia also contributes to secondary injury. Biomarkers and advanced neuroimaging techniques can help detect and monitor diffuse axonal injury. While there are no definitive treatments, potential therapies involving calcineurin modulation, stem cells, and other agents are being explored.
INTRODUCTION
Traumatic braininjury (TBI) is one of the leading cause of death in young people
A process of widespread axonal damage in the aftermath of acute or repetitive TBI, leading to deficits in
cerebral connectivity that may or may not recover over time
One of the most common pathologies in all closed-head trauma
Su E, Bell M. Diffuse axonal injury. Translational research in traumatic brain injury. 2016 Apr 21;57:41.
3.
PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS
(ADAM CLASSIFICATION)
GradeI (Mild DAI) Microscopic changes in white matter of cerebral
cortex, corpus callosum, brainstem, and occasionally
the cerebellum
Grade II (Moderate DAI) Grossly evident focal lesions in the corpus callosum
Grade III (Severe DAI) Additional focal lesions in the dorsolateral quadrants
of the rostral brainstem (involving superior
cerebellar peduncle)
Su E, Bell M. Diffuse axonal injury. Translational research in traumatic brain injury. 2016 Apr 21;57:41.
4.
CLINICAL FEATURES
Loss ofconsciousness,
Cognitive and memory deficits
Sodium and free water derangements
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Meythaler J.M. et al. Current concepts: Diffuse axonal injury-associated traumatic brain injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2001;82(10):1461–1471.
Richmond E, Rogol A.D. Endocrine. 2013. Traumatic brain injury: Endocrine consequences in children and adults.
5.
INITIAL INJURY ANDPRIMARY AXOTOMY
Stretch and shear injuries
Distortion of the axonal cytoskeleton subsequently disrupts normal axonal transport mechanisms,
leading to accumulation of transport products in injured regions and alterations in neuronal homeostasis
Increased axolemmal permeability, mitochondrial swelling, and cytoskeletal compaction damaging
microtubule and neurofilament structures
Shearing of axonal fibers leading to complete disconnection after trauma, or primary axotomy, can cause
a more pronounced accumulation of transport products in the injury referred to as an “axonal bulb”
Singleton R.H. et al. Traumatically induced axotomy adjacent to the soma does not result in acute neuronal death. J Neurosci. 2002;22(3):791–802.
Pettus E.H. et al. Traumatically induced altered membrane permeability: Its relationship to traumatically induced reactive axonal change. J Neurotrauma. 1994;11(5):507–522.
Farkas O, Povlishock J.T. Cellular and subcellular change evoked by diffuse traumatic brain injury: A complex web of change extending far beyond focal damage. Prog Brain Res.
2007;161:43–59.
6.
SECONDARY AXOTOMY ANDDISRUPTED NEURONAL HOMEOSTASIS
Multiple injury cascades from oxidative, excitotoxic, and inflammatory pathways
Stretch disrupts membrane permeability and precipitates depolarization
Release of excitatory neurotransmitters such as glutamate
Dysfunction of normal glutamate reuptake processes
Glutamate further damage to the axonal cytoskeletal as well as ion channel structures
Secondary axotomy is a process of rapidly progressive axonal deterioration, breakage, and retraction
occurring following but not at the time of injury
Su E, Bell M. Diffuse axonal injury. Translational research in traumatic brain injury. 2016 Apr 21;57:41.
7.
NEUROINFLAMMATION
Mediated bymicroglia
IL-1 family, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α
The leukocyte adhesion molecule ICAM-1 is another potential mediator of post-DAI secondary injury in
that it is upregulated following DAI
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Lu K.-T. et al. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase-mediated IL-1-induced cortical neuron damage during traumatic brain injury. Neurosci Lett. 2005;386(1):40–45
Rancan M. et al. Upregulation of ICAM-1 and MCP-1 but not of MIP-2 and sensorimotor deficit in response to traumatic axonal injury in rats. J Neurosci Res. 2001;63(5):438–446.
Rhodes J.K.J, Sharkey J, Andrews P.J.D. The temporal expression, cellular localization, and inhibition of the chemokines MIP-2 and MCP-1 after traumatic brain injury in the rat. J Neurotrauma. 2009;26(4):507–525.
8.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Blastinjuries
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
Abusive head trauma
Su E, Bell M. Diffuse axonal injury. Translational research in traumatic brain injury. 2016 Apr 21;57:41.
9.
BIOMARKERS
CALCIUM-DEPENDENT PROTEOLYSISAND αII SPECTRIN BREAKDOWN PRODUCTS
NEUROFILAMENT MARKERS
GLIAL FIBRILLARY ACIDIC PROTEIN
MYELIN BASIC PROTEIN
S-100β
NEURON-SPECIFIC ENOLASE
UBIQUITIN CARBOXY-TERMINAL HYDROXYLASE L1
Su E, Bell M. Diffuse axonal injury. Translational research in traumatic brain injury. 2016 Apr 21;57:41.
10.
NEUROIMAGING
Head CT:frequently does not identify pathology associated with DAI
MRI:
- Microhemorrhages
- Punctate areas of T2 signal hyperintensity in the white matter and at gray-white matter junctions in the
frontal or occipital lobes
Laalo J.P, Kurki T.J, Tenovuo O.S. Interpretation of magnetic resonance imaging in the chronic phase of traumatic brain injury: What is missed in the original reports? Brain Inj.
2014;28(1):66–70.
Imaizumi T. et al. Dynamics of dotlike hemosiderin spots associated with intracerebral hemorrhage. J Neuroimaging. 2003;13(2):155–157.
Viswanathan A. Cerebral microhemorrhage. Stroke. 2006;37(2):550–555
11.
OTHER IMAGINGS
DIFFUSIONWEIGHTED IMAGING (DWI) AND DIFFUSION TENSOR IMAGING (DTI)
MAGNETIZATION TRANSFER IMAGING
MORPHOMETRIC AND VOLUMETRIC ANALYSIS
Functional MRI
Su E, Bell M. Diffuse axonal injury. Translational research in traumatic brain injury. 2016 Apr 21;57:41.
12.
TREATMENT
CALCINEURIN MODULATORS
STEM CELL THERAPY
RECOMBINANT HUMAN ERYTHROPOETIN
DOCOSAHEXANOIC ACID
Su E, Bell M. Diffuse axonal injury. Translational research in traumatic brain injury. 2016 Apr 21;57:41.
13.
SUMMARY
A complexprocess
Stretching and shearing of axons
Persistent syndrome of cerebral disconnection and longstanding functional impairment
Biomarkers
Neuroimaging
Future therapies