The Effect of Traumatic Brain Injury on the Neuronal Cytoskeleton and the Axolemma

Fitzpatrick, Michael Owen (1997) The Effect of Traumatic Brain Injury on the Neuronal Cytoskeleton and the Axolemma. MD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Head injuries are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in western society. Despite advances in the detection and management of head injury there has been limited improvements in outcome. It is clear that a better understanding of the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury is essential. Without this scientific basis, the future for patients sustaining severe head injuries remains bleak. The neuronal cytoskeleton consists of proteins which serve structural and functional roles within the neurone. Microtubules are a major component of the cytoskeleton and are essential for normal neuronal functioning. Specifically, they are intimately involved in the process of fast axoplasmic transport in which proteins and organelles are transported from the neuronal cell body to synapses. Disruption of this process may be important in the pathogenesis of traumatically induced neuronal injury. It is hypothesised that alterations in the cytoskeletal framework may represent a common final pathway in the mediation of traumatic insults in the brain. Therefore, elucidation of the mechanisms involved in this process would provide valuable information which could be used in the design of future therapeutic strategies.

• Item Type: Thesis (MD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: Adviser: David Graham
• Keywords: Neurosciences
• Date of Award: 1997
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1997-75317
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 19 Nov 2019 21:13
• Last Modified: 19 Nov 2019 21:13
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/75317