Pooja M. Datta Roy
BME PhD Proposal Presentation

Date: 2024-11-20
Time: 2pm-4pm
Location / Meeting Link: https://emory.zoom.us/j/95473830632

Committee Members:
Michelle LaPlaca (Advisor); Levi Wood; Erin Buckley; Susan Thomas; Firas Kobaissy


Title: Investigating the impact of mild traumatic brain injury on glymphatic fluid distribution and AQP4 polarization in the rodent brain.

Abstract:
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) comprises more than 75% of all TBI cases, with untreated incidences leading to poor prognosis over time. Furthermore, repeated mTBI (rmTBI) can worsen long term outcomes. Thus, there is a need to detect and correct the effects of rmTBI at an early time point in order to prevent chronic rmTBI damage. Under physiological conditions, the glymphatic system is responsible for removing cellular metabolites from the brain. However, with the onset of rmTBI, there is an increase in cellular metabolites and toxic waste emanating from damaged and dying cells, increasing the overall waste burden in the brain. Furthermore, rmTBI could also disrupt glymphatic flow, decreasing the overall waste removal efficacy. Since waste removal is crucial for recovery, understanding how to manipulate glymphatic function after injury may be a novel target for therapy. Rats will receive closed head impacts similar in nature to rmTBI. We will first investigate changes in gross glymphatic fluid distribution in the brain and AQP4 polarization after rmTBI at 24hr, 72hr, and 1wk post injury (Aim 1). We will then pharmacologically modulate AQP4 activity and use MR imaging to look at glymphatic fluid distribution and edema formation in the brain (Aim 2). And lastly, we will use 40Hz non-invasive gamma stimulation to investigate whether this technique can reverse AQP4 depolarization and restore glymphatic fluid flow after rmTBI.