Effect of traumatic brain injury on gene expression in bone.

It is clinically known, that patients often develop osteoporosis following traumatic brain injury (TBI). To enable a better understanding of the underlying mechanism, we developed a murine TBI model. Mice received a controlled cortical impact inducing a TBI. Expression analysis of the femur 3 days following the injury should reveal the regulated genes. We observed a strong downregulation of osteoblast genes, suggesting an inhibition of bone formation. Furthermore, the beta2-adrenoreceptor was downregulated, what is supposed to be induced by the increased adrenergic signaling in these mice. Overall design: Mice received a controlled cortical impact inducing a TBI or served as uninjured controls. RNA was isolated from the femur 3 days following the injury.