Effects of bFGF on cognitive ability of rat with diffuse axonal injury

Objective To study the alterations in neurobehavior of rats with diffuse axonal injury(DAI) and to evaluate the potential role of basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF). Methods A weight-drop device was employed to build the DAI model.An injection of bFGF subdurally and subcortically was given to the bFGF therapeutic group(n=60).Besides,normal control(n=20) and injured control group(n=60) were established.The elevated walkway test,prehensile traction test,sensorimotor integration test and the Morris' water maze test were adopted to examine the motor and memory abilities.After the implantation of skull electrodes,P3-like potential was explored in rats before and after injury. Results After DAI,the scales of the elevated walkway test,prehensile traction test,sensorimotor integration test and the Morris' water maze test were decreased,and the rats in the bFGF therapeutic group presented a better behaviour in the early stage.The latency of P3-like potential prolonged significantly in rats with DAI,with the P3-like potential in the injured control group longer than that in the bFGF therapeutic group(P0.05). Conclusion After DAI,motor and memory dysfunction with a prolonged latency of P3-like potential can be found in rats.Event-related potential may be helpful in the monitor of DAI.Neurobehavioral damages in rats with DAI can be improved by topically application of bFGF.