Neuroinflammation is one of the key mechanisms at work in both acute and chronic phases of TBI, which is one of the leading causes of death and disability globally. There are currently no treatments available to prevent the long-term effects of TBI.
In the current study, researchers examined monoclonal antibody treatment, Foralumab, on mouse models of moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury. Foralumab works by binding to the T cell receptor to modulate T cell function and thus reduce inflammation. It has been tested in clinical trials for patients with conditions including multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease.
Ultimately, nasal administration of Foramulab ameliorated damage to the central nervous system and improved cognitive and behavioral symptoms including anxiety, cognitive decline, and motor skills.
"This opens up a whole new area of research and treatment in traumatic brain injury, something that's almost impossible to treat," said senior author of the study, Howard Weiner, MD, co-director of the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham & Women's Hospital at Harvard Medical School, in a press release.
"It also means this could work in intracerebral hemorrhage and other stroke patients with brain injury," he added.
Moving forward involves translating the findings from preclinical models to human patients. Weiner noted that he hopes the treatment may be used in a variety of TBI patients, including football players with repetitive concussions.
"We envision giving a nasal spray right there on the sidelines. It isn't something we can do yet, but we see the potential," he concluded.
Sources: Science Daily, Nature Neuroscience, Neurology Live
