Peripheral immune cells in the pathology of traumatic brain injury?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review will consider the reasons why the inhibition of leucocyte recruitment after traumatic brain injury has not been demonstrated but should remain an area of active interest.

RECENT FINDINGS

Focal lesions to the brain display a characteristic inflammatory response with infiltration of peripheral immune cells after injury. These cells are believed to be important because they contain and release a multitude of inflammatory mediators associated with increased tissue injury. Furthermore a large body of evidence from ischaemic injuries suggests that inhibition of leucocyte recruitment can reduce injury and improve outcome. However, therapeutic efficacy has not been demonstrated in clinical trials and for traumatic injuries the results are less convincing.

SUMMARY

A greater appreciation of the timing of assessment, leucocyte subsets and the extended inflammatory response will be discussed.