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Depression Following A Traumatic Brain Injury: Uncovering Cytokine Dysregulation As A Pathogenic Mechanism, Colleen N. Bodnar, Josh M. Morganti, Adam D. Bachstetter

Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center Faculty Publications

A substantial number of individuals have long-lasting adverse effects from a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Depression is one of these long-term complications that influences many aspects of life. Depression can limit the ability to return to work, and even worsen cognitive function and contribute to dementia. The mechanistic cause for the increased depression risk associated with a TBI remains to be defined. As TBI results in chronic neuroinflammation, and priming of glia to a secondary challenge, the inflammatory theory of depression provides a promising framework for investigating the cause of depression following a TBI. Increases in cytokines similar to those …