Neurotrauma Research
What is traumatic brain injury?
A sudden, external force like a blow, jolt, or bump to the head, that disrupts normal brain function
What are place cells?
Hippocampal neurons that fire only when a human/animal is in a specific location in its environment
Why is TBI often underdiagnosed in IPV contexts?
Lack of screening, fear, stigma, symptom normalization
About what percentage of cells in the brain are microglia?
How long do saguaro cacti typically live?
150–200 years
Name two pre-clinical TBI models
midline FPI, lateral FPI, CCI, weight drop, CHI, blast
What is neuroplasticity and why is it important for cognitive rehab after TBI?
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize its structure and function
Name one maternal physiological change after TBI that could influence fetal brain development
Inflammation, hypoxia, stress hormones, altered blood flow
What does microglial "activation" refer to?
A spectrum of structural and functional changes in response to the microenvironment
When is the official start to Mardi Gras season?
Epiphany (January 6)
DAILY DOUBLE: In what year was the first rat model of fluid percussion injury (FPI) published?
1987
How could psychoplastigens improve cognitive rehab outcomes after TBI?
By enhancing neuroplasticity, they may increase the brain’s responsiveness to rehabilitation and learning-based therapies
Why does the timing of prenatal injury exposure matter for cortical development?
Different developmental windows correspond to distinct cortical processes
What are three conditions in which rod microglia have been observed?
TBI, Alzheimer's disease, ALS, Lewy body dementia, normal aging, SSPE
Approximately how many miles of coastline/shoreline does Michigan have?
~3,300 miles