Nya orsaksmekanismer för demensutveckling efter traumatisk hjärnskada- och en möjlig motverkande behandling

This application- supported by the Swedish Research Council (VR)-is entitled “Novel mechanisms of brain trauma-induced dementia- and their possible prevention”. The main aim of this application is to explore why traumatic brain injury (TBI) and repeated concussions in a sport setting, is associated with an increased risk of neurodegeneration and dementias. We follow the hypothesis that TBI and sports concussions both lead to injury to the white matter of the brain that, together with an inflammatory response, lead to aggregation of factors involved in neurodegeneration (such as tau). In clinical and experimental studies, we evaluate in what cell types the aggregation of dementia factors occur. We also explore a potential mechanism for neurodegeneration- the expression of human endogenous retroviruses and a subsequent activation of interferon type-1 receptors. Finally, we use pharmacological inhibition of interferon action to study brain pathology and behavioral deficits in experimental models of TBI.