The Effects of Mild Concussions and Pomegranates on Behavior

<p>The neuropathological effects of mild concussions can accumulate, leading to the development of motor and cognitive deficits. Although there are currently no treatments that can restore lost function after repetitive concussion, our laboratory has shown that dietary supplementation with pomegranate polyphenols can improve Alzheimer’s-like pathology, protect mice from the effects of proton irradiation, and protect humans from post-operative cognitive deficits. This study investigated the behavioral and neuropathological effects of repetitive concussions in mice and the use of dietary supplementation with pomegranate to ameliorate these effects. Adult mice were given dilute pomegranate juice or control water for 1 week, followed by anesthesia, repeated anesthesia (3 days apart), or repeated concussive injury (a single closed-head injury to each hemisphere 3 days apart). They were then maintained on the pomegranate juice or control water for 2 additional weeks. Behavioral testing was administered 1, 3, 5, and 7-11 days post injury to assess cognitive, motor, and affective functions. Repeated concussion, but not repeated anesthesia, induced motor and learning deficits, some of which were significantly reduced by pomegranate juice. These data suggest that the model of mild repeated concussive injury in mice might be used to test neuroprotective treatment in future studies.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year

2016

Author dc:creator

• Bajwa, Nikita M.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Hartman, Richard E.
• Dulcich, Melissa S.
• Lee, Grace J.
• Vermeersch, David

• Psychology
• Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Brain Injuries -- Pathology; Brain Injuries -- Psychology
• Pomegranates; Concussions; Cognitive Deficits; Polyphenols; Neuroprotective Treatments

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/363

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-1363