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The complexity of neuroinflammation consequent to traumatic brain injury: from research evidence to potential treatments
Morganti-Kossmann MC, Semple BD, Hellewell SC, Bye N, Ziebell JM.. Acta neuropathologica, 2018-12-07
Topic: Brain proteins, microglia and lab models
This review recounts the definitions and research evidence supporting the multifaceted roles of neuroinflammation in the injured brain following trauma. We summarise the literature fluctuating from the protective and detrimental properties that cytokines, leukocytes and glial cells play in the acute and chronic stages of TBI, including the intrinsic factors that influence cytokine responses and microglial functions relative to genetics, sex, and age. We elaborate on the pros and cons that cytokines, chemokines, and microglia play in brain repair, specifically neurogenesis, and how such conflicting roles may be harnessed therapeutically to sustain the survival of new neurons.
Key findings
- We summarise the literature fluctuating from the protective and detrimental properties that cytokines, leukocytes and glial cells play in the acute and chronic stages of TBI, including the intrinsic factors that influence cytokine responses and microglial functions relative to genetics, sex, and age.
- We elaborate on the pros and cons that cytokines, chemokines, and microglia play in brain repair, specifically neurogenesis, and how such conflicting roles may be harnessed therapeutically to sustain the survival of new neurons.
- With a brief review of the clinical and experimental findings demonstrating early and chronic inflammation impacts on outcomes, we focus on the clinical conditions that may be amplified by neuroinflammation, ranging from acute seizures to chronic epilepsy, neuroendocrine dysfunction, dementia, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
- Finally, we provide an overview of the therapeutic agents that have been tested to reduce inflammation-driven secondary pathological cascades and speculate the future promise of alternative drugs.
Why it matters
This review of traumatic brain injury describes conflicting protective and detrimental roles of cytokines, leukocytes, and glial cells that might be harnessed therapeutically. It reports no treatment, cure, or prevention for Alzheimer's disease.
Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 49/100
Published in a leading specialty journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 9 / 10 | Tier 2 — leading specialty journal (Acta neuropathologica) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | Acta Neuropathologica: journal h-index 287 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 2 / 5 | 2019 — within 10 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 5 / 7 | Cited 217 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 4 / 5 | 24.1 citations a year over 9 year(s) since 2019 |
| Impact for its field and year | 4 / 6 | Cited 12.2× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 1 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 3 / 4 | Cited 67 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Jenna M. Ziebell: h-index 20 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | The University of Sydney: institution h-index 1,466 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 8 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 30535946) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 49 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
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Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Morganti-Kossmann, M. C., Semple, B. D., Hellewell, S. C., Bye, N., & Ziebell, J. M. (2019). The complexity of neuroinflammation consequent to traumatic brain injury: from research evidence to potential treatments. Acta neuropathologica. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00401-018-1944-6
Vancouver
Morganti-Kossmann MC, Semple BD, Hellewell SC, Bye N, Ziebell JM. The complexity of neuroinflammation consequent to traumatic brain injury: from research evidence to potential treatments. Acta neuropathologica. 2019. doi:10.1007/s00401-018-1944-6. PMID: 30535946.
BibTeX
@article{morgantikossmann2019-30535946,
author = {Morganti-Kossmann, M. C. and Semple, B. D. and Hellewell, S. C. and Bye, N. and Ziebell, J. M.},
title = {{The complexity of neuroinflammation consequent to traumatic brain injury: from research evidence to potential treatments}},
journal = {Acta neuropathologica},
year = {2019},
doi = {10.1007/s00401-018-1944-6},
pmid = {30535946},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s00401-018-1944-6}
}
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