Fig. 11

Summary of the consequences following a single jmTBI that leads to accelerated aging (12 months post-injury). In the SI/NB, there was reduced astrogliosis (GFAP staining) with reduced levels of AQP4 in astrocyte (light blue and blue cells) processes and at perivascular endfeet. This was accompanied by increased microgliosis (red bushy cells, levels of IBA1 staining and morphological alterations), decreased vessel diameter and altered axonal staining (orange and green cells, NF200). In the hippocampus, AQP4 levels were increased, concomitant with increased microglial activation (morphological changes in IBA1-stained cells). Neurodegeneration (orange cells, decreased NeuN) was observed in the ipsilateral hippocampus. All these changes were accompanied by DTI alterations (AD, axial diffusivity and FA, fractional anisotropy) that correlated with memory and learning deficits (Created with BioRender.com)