Investigation of Vitamin B12 for the treatment of traumatic brain injury
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Abstract
This study investigates the potential of vitamin B12 as a treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBIs are complex injuries that can result in a wide range of symptoms, and current treatments include medications, surgery, and therapies. The pathology of TBIs includes excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptotic cell death. Vitamin B12 has been shown to have neuroprotective effects in various neurological disorders, but its potential as a treatment for TBI has not been extensively studied. This study uses a rodent model of TBI to investigate the effects of vitamin B12. The study aims to contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying TBI and to identify potential therapeutic targets for this complex injury. The rats underwent CCI surgery and were divided into three groups: control group, injured non-treated group, and experimental group. Each group consisted of 10 adult rats, and cognitive and behavioral testing was conducted using the Foot Fault Task (FFT). The FFT allowed for the quantitative assessment of the motor deficits that commonly occurred following brain injury. The assigned task for the project was to score and analyze the foot fault data, providing important insights into the motor deficits experienced by the rats and the potential impact of vitamin B12 on their recovery. Figure 1 shows a linear decline in the number of foot faults made by the rats, indicating improved motor coordination and balance. However, statistically B12 did not have any significant effect on the treatment of TBI.