Into the head through the intestines
Signs of concussion were found in the intestines
Svetlana Maslova, Hi-tech+
Now scientists plan to use the composition of the microbiota to diagnose the condition and predict the duration of rehabilitation. Today, doctors largely rely on subjective assessments of patients, which can negatively affect their health in the future.
A change in the position of the brain inside the skull can lead to damage to nerve cells, but with a mild or moderate injury, such microscopic damage is not visible on X-rays, CT or MRI. While subjective symptoms of patients, such as dizziness, nausea, headaches and blurred vision remain the leading signs of concussion after injury, however, the discovery of American scientists may change existing approaches to diagnosis.
The researchers worked with male football players who are more likely to be at risk of head injuries. Analyzing samples of blood, stool and saliva, they found obvious signs of concussion in the gut microbiota. Article by Soriano et al. Alterations to the gut microbiome after sport-related concussion in a collegiate football players cohort: A pilot study published in the journal Brain, Behavior, & Immunity – Health – VM.
After concussion, patients had sharply reduced levels of two types of bacteria that are usually present in abundance in healthy people. In addition, scientists have established a correlation between blood proteins that are associated with traumatic brain injuries and these bacteria.
"Since the central nervous system is closely connected with the enteral nervous system of the intestine, head injuries inevitably lead to changes in the microbiota," explained the author of the work, Sonia Villapol.
After an injury, an inflammatory reaction provokes proteins and other molecules circulating in the blood to violate the protective barrier of the intestine and cause changes in it that affect metabolism.
Now the findings need to be confirmed in a larger sample with the participation of women. Scientists hope that the results will form the basis of a simple laboratory test that will provide not only an early diagnosis of concussion, but also help to track the dynamics of the condition and, after the normalization of the composition of bacteria, report the final recovery.
Earlier, another team showed that it is possible to determine a concussion by urine analysis. They also identified unique biomarkers of this condition.
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