Neurofilaments and traumatic brain injury

Arch Med Sadowej Kryminol. 2014;64(4):268-79. doi: 10.5114/amsik.2014.50531.

Abstract

Objective determination of the time of brain contusion is of key importance in medicolegal neurotraumatology. Currently, the progress of immunohistochemistry allows the study of structural elements of cells including neurofilaments, i.e. neuronal cytoskeletal proteins possessing properties that could be used for determining the age of brain injury in forensic medicine. The purpose of this study was to review recently published literature with a focus on studies investigating changes which occur in neurofilaments after brain trauma, both in animal models and in human biological material. The review has shown a lack of data on temporal changes in neurofilament expression after human brain trauma which could be used for determining the age of injuries in forensic medicine.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Brain / pathology
  • Diffuse Axonal Injury / metabolism*
  • Diffuse Axonal Injury / pathology
  • Forensic Medicine
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Neurofilament Proteins / metabolism*
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Neurofilament Proteins