It is estimated that nearly 20% of US troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts have suffered probable traumatic brain injury (TBI). Among survivors, the loss of circulating levels of testosterone (hypogonadism) is one of the most frequently reported deficits and the long-term effects of dramatically increase the risk of multiple symptoms including PTSD, depression, anxiety and cognitive loss. The e4 allele of apolipoprotein E is the strongest risk factor for developing Alzheimer's disease and is also associated with a worsened outcome following TBI. Importantly, individuals who carry APOE4 are 10X more likely to develop AD compared to those without the allele. Given that both TBI and testosterone loss adversely impact neurophysiology, the purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that APOE genotype and testosterone interact to increase the risk of brain injury and that hormone replacement may significantly improve outcome. Using a mouse model that expresses human apoE proteins, we will use a closed head injury model to assess the effects of testosterone loss and TBI on behavioral outcomes and neuronal structure and function (Aim 1). We will next assess the effects of hormone replacement on these outcomes (Aim 2). As there are currently no effective treatments that improve outcome following TBI, hormone replacement may provide a potential therapeutic option to attenuate the onset of mental and cognitive disorders that result from hypogonadism, especially in veterans who are genetically at risk.

Public Health Relevance

It is estimated that nearly 20% of US troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts have suffered probable traumatic brain injury (TBI). Among survivors, a loss of circulating levels of testosterone is one of the most frequently reported deficits and the long-term effects of these deficits dramatically increase the risk of multiple symptoms including PTSD, depression, anxiety and cognitive loss. We will use an animal model to investigate how a human genetic risk factor and testosterone interact to influence brain function after TBI. Conditions: Rehabilitation Research and Development is focused on translational research. In order to for this project to meet programmatic priorities the follow changes must be made to the experimental design to for the proposal to be consistent with the Veteran population. 1. GDX must be performed either at time of injury or post-injury. Most service members have 'normal' testosterone levels at the time of their first TBI. Having testosterone deficiency the time of injury is not relevant to the VA mission. 2. Treatment/replacement must begin no earlier than 1 month post-injury. It is understood that this will result in a change in the testing methods, but it is necessary in order to prevent duplication of previous research and for the research to have relevance to the VA mission.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Veterans Affairs (VA)
Type
Veterans Administration (I21)
Project #
5I21RX001771-02
Application #
9040030
Study Section
Rehabilitation Research and Development SPiRE Program (RRDS)
Project Start
2014-11-01
Project End
2016-10-31
Budget Start
2015-11-01
Budget End
2016-10-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Durham VA Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
043241082
City
Durham
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27705