Assessment of Neurogenesis by BrdU Labeling After Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death in children and young adults. It is particularly worth noting that an estimated 7,500 soldiers have suffered TBI caused by improvised explosive device explosions in the Iraq war. TBI represents a significant socioeconomic burden. TBI not only results in immediate CNS tissue disruption (primary injury), but also causes secondary damage among the surviving cells via complex mechanisms triggered by the primary event. Currently, there is no effective treatment for this disorder. Fortunately, recent research has identified neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs) in the adult mammalian hippocampus of rat, primate, and human brain. Adult-born new neurons are continuously generated from NSCs, develop into mature granular neurons, and integrate into the existing neural network. These adult-born neurons are a potential resource for repairing the damaged hippocampus following TBI. This chapter briefly introduces the adult neurogenesis and typical procedures to assess adult-born new neurons following TBI.