COGNITIVE AND NEURAL PLASTICITY IN TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY: INVESTIGATING NEUROGENESIS, FUNCTIONAL RECOVERY, AND THE ROLE OF REHABILITATION

Abstract

The global health issue of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one that demands immediate attention as it pertains to the suffering mortals face and the long-term impacts it has on their life. The processes of recovery after TBI are dependent on two fundamental features: Neurogenesis and neural plasticity. This paper addresses the processes of neurogenesis, the influences of inflammation on it, and important recovery promoting therapies that could be implemented post TBI. We analyze the effects of TBI on neurogenesis in adult populations, especially on the regions of the hippocampus, as well as the effects of Notch, Wnt, and BDNF signaling pathways on neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation. We will consider the significance of inflammation’s dual role on recovery from TBI, that is, inflammation’s pro and anti-cytokines and how it achieves a balance for optimum recovery. Rehabilitation therapies even pharmacological ones together with neuromodulation interventions that leverage activity dependent plasticity for better cognitive performance will be discussed. The interrelation of neurogenesis, inflammation, and rehabilitation is discussed in depth to explain the challenges faced in constructing effective therapeutic modalities aimed at modifying neurobehavioural dysfunctions. The paper wraps up by stressing the problems regarding the functional incorporation of novel neurons and the necessity for individualized therapeutic approaches as a result of the heterogeneity in neurogenic response. This balance reflects the possible hope of therapies founded on neurogenic principles and the need for further work to be done in order to make preclinical knowledge useful in clinical practice.