Metabolomic Profiling of Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury

Metabolomic Profiling of Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. However, the literature on determining its severity and predicting prognosis is insufficient. This study aimed to examine the differences in metabolite levels between trauma patients with severe TBI and orthopedic trauma patients without brain injury.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, particularly in young people. TBI is a complex metabolic process associated with an energy crisis resulting from multiple mechanisms, including ischemia, diffusion hypoxia, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Because metabolic derangement is a fundamental component of TBI pathophysiology, these metabolic changes may provide prognostic information and guide treatment. Additionally, the release of brain-specific metabolites (i.e., small molecules with a molecular mass below 500 Da) into the systemic circulation may provide insights into blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction, a fundamental process in TBI. Metabolomic profiling studies are introductory and valuable for elucidating this metabolic process.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ages 18-65
• Patients diagnosed with severe TBI clinically or according to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) criteria (including post-traumatic imaging)
• Patients with non-TBI orthopedic or multitrauma

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of brain pathology in the pre-trauma period
• Patient with chronic subdural hematoma