Objective To observe the effect of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in improving the memory function and quality of life of patients with traumatic brain injury. Methods Sixty patients with brain injury were randomly divided into the treatmem group and control group. The patients in the control group received conventional treatments (including medications, acupuncture and exercise training), and those in the treatment group were given additional low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment. Scores of the Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test (RBMT) and Functional independence Measure (FIM) were recorded before and after the treatments and compared between the two groups. Results The patients in both of the groups showed significant improvements in RBMT and FIM scores after the treatments (P<0.05). The improvements in RBMT and FIM scores after the treatments differed significantly between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can significantly improve the cognitive function and functional independence of patients with traumatic brain injury.

Objective To observe the effects of lithium chloride (LiCl) on neural cell apoptosis, inflammatory response and expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) protein in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods Fifty-four male SD rats were randomized into sham-operated, ICH and LiCl treatment groups (n=18), and in the latter two groups, ICH was induced by injection of collagenase Ⅳ into the internal capsule, and phosphate buffer solution was injected in the sham-operated group. Seven days before ICH, the rats in LiCl group received intraperitoneal injection of 1 mmol/kg LiCl once daily till the rats were sacrificed. Brain tissue specimens were collected at 1, 3, and 7 d after ICH to observe neural cell apoptosis, inflammatory response and expression of NF-κB in rat brain using terminal dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL), HE staining and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results Compared with the ICH model group, the rats in LiCl treatment group showed significantly reduced number of TUNEL-positive cells in the brain tissues around the hematoma at 1, 3, and 7 days after ICH (P<0.05). NF-κB protein expression was observed 1 day after ICH, which reached the peak level on day 3 and lowered 7 days after ICH. LiCl treatment significantly lowered the expression of NF-κB protein in comparison with that in ICH group (P<0.05) and obviously ameliorated the inflammatory responses in the brain tissues. Conclusion LiCl provides neuroprotection against ICH by inhibiting neural cell apoptosis and reducing inflammatory response through down-regulation of NF-κB expression.

Objective To observe the effect of low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation at uninjured side on memory and quality of life in patients with traumatic brain injury. Methods From September, 2013 to June, 2015, 60 cases of memory impairment af-ter traumatic brain injury were randomly divided into control group (n=30) and observation group (n=30). The control group was given neu-rosurgical conventional treatment;the observation group was given low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in addition, for four weeks. The scores of Rivermead Behavior Memory Test (RBMT) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHO-QOL-BREF) were observed before and after treatment in both groups. Results After treatment, there was no significant difference in the RBMT score in the control group (t=1.233, P=0.223);the RBMT score increased in the observation group (t=2.186, P=0.033);and there was no significant difference between two groups (t=1.133, P=0.262). After treatment, the WHOQOL-BREF score increased in physical health in the control group (t=5.606, P<0.001), while it increased in the physical, psychological health, and environment in the observation group (t>2.879, P<0.01), which were higher in the observation group than in the control group (t>2.095, P<0.05). There was no significant differ-ence in the social relationship between two groups (t=0.508, P=0.614). Conclusion Low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimula-tion at uninjured side could improve the memory ability and quality of life for patients with traumatic brain injury.

Objective To observe neural stem cell activation and proliferation in situ afterintracerebal hemorrhage (ICH) and its effect on the neurological function of the injured adult rats.Methods Seventy-two adult rats were randomized into ICH and sham operation groups (n=36). In theICH group, type Ⅳ collagenase was injected into the internal capsule through a microinfusion pump toinduce intracerebral hemorrhage, and the rats in the sham operation group received only phosphate buffersolution injection. The neurological functions of the rats were observed by rotarod motor test on days 1, 7,14, 21, 28, and 35 after the injection. One day before sacrifice, the rots were subjected to intraperitonealBrdU injection to label the regenerated cells, and immunohistochemistry was used to detect theexpressions of nestin and BrdU in the brain tissue. Results No nestin- or BrdU-positive cells werefound in the brain of the rats in the sham operation group. In rats with ICH, nestin- and BrdU-positivecells were found predominantly in the basal ganglion around the hematoma, in the ependyma and near thesubventricular zone (SVZ) in the brain; the number of the positive cells increased significantly 7 daysafter ICH, peaked on day 14 and then significantly reduced on day 28. The rats exhibited no obviousimprovement of the impaired motor function over the period from day 1 to 35 after ICH. Activation andproliferation of the neural stem cells was not obviously related to the recovery of the neurologicalfunctions. Conclusion Endogeneous neural stem cells in the brain are activated in rats after ICH, butthese stem cells possess rather limited capacity of proliferation and can not sufficiently compensate forICH-induced neurological function impairment.

Objective To investigate the changes of matrix Metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) content in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with brain injury and its clinical significance.Methods Sixty cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens from patients with traumatic brain injury were chosen in our study as experimental group,and other CSF samples from 35 healthy subjects were selected as control group.The content of MMP-9 in cerebrospinal fluid was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at 24 h and 72 h,1 and 2 weeks,respectively; and the comparative study was performed.Results The MMP-9 content in all CSF samples from the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the healthy control group (P＜0.05).Conclusion MMP-9 content in CSF of patients with brain injury increases obviously; MMP-9 in CSF may contribute to the severity of traumatic brain injury determination and guide the treatment strategies,which is worth for further study.